Sinusitis (Paranasal Sinuses)
Diagnostic Codes 6510–6514 • 38 CFR § 4.97
Ratings are driven by how often you have incapacitating vs. non-incapacitating episodes—and by surgery or complications like osteomyelitis at higher levels.
DC range
6510–14
Sinusitis Ratings & 2026 Pay (veteran alone)
Schedule caps at 50%. DC 6510–6514 has no 100% tier. To reach a higher combined rating, stack secondary conditions (asthma DC 6602, rhinitis DC 6522, sleep apnea DC 6847) or pursue chronic osteomyelitis under DC 5000 separately.
Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, OR near-constant sinusitis with headaches, pain, purulent discharge/crusting after repeated surgeries
$1,132.90/mo
3+ incapacitating episodes/yr OR >6 non-incapacitating episodes/yr
$552.47/mo
1–2 incapacitating OR 3–6 non-incapacitating episodes/yr
$180.42/mo
Diagnosed but episodes less frequent than 10% criteria
$0
Tip: “Incapacitating” generally means severe symptoms requiring prolonged treatment, bed rest, or similar—your treatment records and lay statements should match the regulatory intent.
Complete regulatory criteria, CFR citations, and official rating notes
Three Compensation Scenarios
Chronic sinusitis at 30%
Documented episode frequency meets 30% threshold (e.g., 3+ incapacitating episodes/year).
$552.47/mo
Base 2026 rate • no dependents
Sinusitis + rhinitis + asthma
Approx. combined
60%
Monthly total
$1,435.02/mo
Post-surgical sinusitis (50%) + PTSD
Typical combined
90%
Monthly total
$2,362.30/mo
Evidence Requirements
Episode log
Dates, duration, treatment (antibiotics, steroids), missed work—frequency drives 10% vs 30%.
CT of the sinuses
Objective evidence of inflammation, obstruction, or polyps supports severity.
Treatment records
UC/ER visits, ENT notes, antibiotic courses, and any procedures (FESS, etc.).
Lay statements
Spouse/employer statements on downtime, facial pain, and infection frequency.
Nexus for secondary claims
If claiming secondary to rhinitis, septum, or exposure—tie mechanism in a medical opinion.
Secondary Conditions
🤕 Migraines
STRONGDC 8100 • Sinus pressure triggers headaches
🫁 Asthma
STRONGDC 6602 • Post-nasal drip irritates lower airways
🗣️ Chronic pharyngitis
MODERATEDC 6599 • Drainage irritates throat
🧠 Depression / anxiety
MODERATEDC 9434/9400 • Chronic pain and sleep disruption
🎤 Laryngeal irritation
MODERATEDC 6519 • Chronic cough/throat clearing
😴 OSA aggravation
MODERATEDC 6847 • Nasal obstruction worsens sleep breathing
Primaries that may cause sinusitis secondarily: allergic rhinitis, deviated septum, nasal polyps, environmental exposures.
Claim Timeline
Start a log
Track every flare with dates and treatment
Imaging
ENT or PCP orders sinus CT if not recent
Gather records
Antibiotics, procedures, work absences
File / increase
526EZ with lay statements + CT + log summary
Secondaries
Migraines, asthma, mental health if applicable
What Gets You Higher Ratings
10% → 30%
Prove higher episode frequency with medical records plus a credible personal log—don’t rely on memory at the C&P exam alone.
50% / 100%
Surgical records (radical sinus surgery), prolonged antibiotic therapy, osteomyelitis imaging, or near-constant refractory disease documentation.
Claim the right DC cluster
Sinusitis types map to 6510–6514—ensure your diagnosis aligns with the examiner’s coding.
Common Mistakes
No episode tracking
Raters often only see what is in STR/VA/private notes.
Under-reporting to doctors
If you self-treat, episodes may be invisible—get treatment documented.
Skipping CT
Objective imaging can anchor severity beyond symptoms alone.
Ignoring secondaries
Migraines and asthma are commonly linked—file when supported.
FAQs
▸ What counts as an “incapacitating” episode?
Generally requires severe symptoms with prolonged treatment—think bed rest / significant downtime and medical management—not a mild stuffy day.
▸ Is sinusitis presumptive for burn pits?
Presumptive rules change with statute and eligibility categories—verify current PACT Act / Gulf War presumptive lists on VA.gov or with an accredited representative.
▸ Can I be rated for sinusitis and rhinitis?
Often yes when each condition is separately diagnosed and meets distinct criteria—see the rhinitis guide.
DC Reference & Tools
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.
Free during launch
Save this guide, track your claim, and unlock our tools
Create a free account to save condition guides, track filing progress, and use the Evidence Checklist Generator, Secondary Claims Mapper, and Rating Estimator.
No credit card. Educational information only — not legal or medical advice.