Education · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Lungs, nose, and throat (respiratory system) · not your rating · we do not file
Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic VA rating (DC 6514)
VA rates sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic under diagnostic code 6514 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The rule book lists 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic.. Last checked against eCFR on 2026-10-10 (eCFR issue 2026-08-27). Official text: 38 CFR § 4.97 on eCFR.
Each rating level in plain English
- 50%: The published words look at: pain, and what it stops you from doing; and surgery, an implant, or a joint replacement, with dates.
- 30%: The published words look at: how long each attack lasts; times a doctor prescribed bed rest; pain, and what it stops you from doing; how often it happens; and how long it lasts.
- 10%: The published words look at: how long each attack lasts; times a doctor prescribed bed rest; pain, and what it stops you from doing; how often it happens; and how long it lasts.
- 0%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
Plain words come from our reading aid for the published words. They never add a symptom. The quotes below are the rule.
Exact words in 38 CFR § 4.97
General Rating Formula for Sinusitis
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 printed with this code
“Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.”
What records usually show this
VA reads these things from your records: service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and the VA claim exam (C&P exam). The published words on this page talk about:
- Pain, and what it stops you from doing: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Surgery, an implant, or a joint replacement, with dates: usually found in a test or exam result in your records. The rule book reads this number from the test, not from a statement.
- How long each attack lasts: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Times a doctor prescribed bed rest: usually found in medical notes that record how long it lasted, or a doctor's order (for example prescribed bed rest), when those exist.
- How often it happens: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- How long it lasts: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
Education only. This does not say you have any of these, and a record that mentions them does not decide a rating. Only write what is true for you. Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA claim exam (C&P exam)
Put your records next to these lines
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Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic (DC 6514)?
38 CFR § 4.97 lists 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% for diagnostic code 6514. VA decides which line fits from the evidence. This page is not your rating.
Where do these words come from?
They are quoted from the public eCFR copy of 38 CFR § 4.97, last checked 2026-10-10. The official page is linked on this page so you can check every word.
Does this page tell me what my rating will be?
No. It shows what the published rule book says. It does not predict a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount, and it does not say you have this condition.
Who can file a VA claim for me for free?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can prepare and file a claim with you at no cost. VA lists accredited representatives on VA.gov. We do not file.
This page quotes the public VA rule book. It is not your rating and not your pay. We do not say you have this condition. We do not file. You, or a free accredited representative, file with VA.
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