---
title: "DC 6510 - Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic."
diagnostic_code: "6510"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6510-chronic-sinusitis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:56.981947Z"
---

# DC 6510 - Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic.

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 50% | Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries |
| 30% | Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| 10% | One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| 0% | Detected by X-ray only |

## Notes

- Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.

# Chronic Sinusitis (Pansinusitis) — VA Disability Rating

**Diagnostic Code 6510 · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Respiratory System**

## What This Condition Is

Chronic sinusitis, including pansinusitis, is a long-lasting inflammation of the sinuses. The VA rates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (Diagnostic Codes 6510 through 6514).

When evaluating sinusitis, the VA considers factors such as headaches, pain and tenderness in the affected sinus, purulent discharge or crusting, and how often symptoms flare up during the year. The VA also distinguishes between **incapacitating episodes** and **non-incapacitating episodes**.

> **Important note:** An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following rating levels based on the severity and frequency of symptoms:

### 50%
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, **or** near-constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.

### 30%
Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment (lasting four to six weeks), **or** more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

### 10%
One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment (lasting four to six weeks), **or** three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

### 0%
Detected by X-ray only.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating chronic sinusitis, the VA focuses on:

- **Frequency of episodes** over the course of a year
- **Whether episodes are incapacitating** (requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician) or non-incapacitating
- **Symptoms present**, including headaches, pain and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting
- **Treatment required**, such as prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks
- **Surgical history**, including radical surgery, chronic osteomyelitis, and repeated surgeries
- **X-ray findings**, which alone may correspond to a 0% rating

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97