---
title: "DC 6514 - Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic."
diagnostic_code: "6514"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6514-sinusitis-sphenoid-chronic"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:57.429771Z"
---

# DC 6514 - Sinusitis, sphenoid, 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 Sphenoid Sinusitis (VA Diagnostic Code 6514)

*Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97*

## Understanding This Condition

Chronic sphenoid sinusitis is a long-term inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses. The VA evaluates it under Diagnostic Code 6514, using the **General Rating Formula for Sinusitis** (which covers Diagnostic Codes 6510 through 6514).

Under this formula, the VA assigns a disability rating based on how often symptoms occur, how severe they are, and whether surgery or prolonged treatment has been involved.

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

## Available Rating Levels

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **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 requiring prolonged (four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, **or** more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| **10%** | One or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged (four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, **or** three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting |
| **0%** | Detected by X-ray only |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating chronic sphenoid sinusitis, the VA focuses on:

- **Frequency of episodes** — how many incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes occur per year.
- **Incapacitating episodes** — episodes that required bed rest and treatment by a physician, including those needing prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks.
- **Symptom characteristics** — headaches, pain and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting.
- **Surgical history** — whether radical surgery has occurred, whether chronic osteomyelitis is present, and whether symptoms persist after repeated surgeries.
- **Diagnostic findings** — sinusitis detected by X-ray.

Ratings range from **0% to 50%** depending on how your condition matches the criteria above.

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