Diagnostic Code 6510: Chronic Pansinusitis (Sinusitis) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.97
- Rating range
- 0% to 50%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Respiratory system
The VA rates Chronic Pansinusitis (Sinusitis) under diagnostic code 6510 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 6510 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Detected by X-ray only What raters look fordetected by X-ray only |
| 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 What raters look forone or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring four to six weeks of antibiotics; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year |
| 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 What raters look forthree or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring four to six weeks of antibiotics; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year |
| 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 What raters look forradical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis; near constant sinusitis after repeated surgeries |
DC 6510 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 202 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 6510 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 30.7%, denied 63.4% and sent 5.9% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 6510 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Sinusitis. The Sinusitis condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Sinusitis appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 10,382 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Sinusitis, 2021 to 2026. The Sinusitis condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Sinusitis appeals generally rather than DC 6510 specifically. The DC 6510 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6510?
Diagnostic code 6510 is the VA rating schedule entry for Chronic Pansinusitis (Sinusitis), found in 38 CFR § 4.97. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 6510?
DC 6510 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 6510 require?
The 50% rating for Chronic Pansinusitis (Sinusitis) requires: 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.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 6510?
In 197 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 6510 from 2021 to 2026, 28.9% were granted, 65.0% denied and 6.1% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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