VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
The Respiratory System: Shared Criteria For DC 6510 Through 6514
Read the respiratory system criteria for DC 6510 through 6514: 5 listed codes, their distinct instructions, shared formulas and official notes.
Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.97, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.
The Respiratory System · All Diagnostic Codes
DC 6510: Sinusitis, Pansinusitis, Chronic
Diagnostic code 6510 addresses Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 6510 Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Read the shared provisions referenced by this code: Sinusitis Formula.
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 6510, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
- Do records identify the treatment, procedure and relevant dates that the provision actually distinguishes?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
DC 6511: Sinusitis, Ethmoid, Chronic
Diagnostic code 6511 addresses Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 6511 Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Read the shared provisions referenced by this code: Sinusitis Formula.
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 6511, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
- Do records identify the treatment, procedure and relevant dates that the provision actually distinguishes?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
DC 6512: Sinusitis, Frontal, Chronic
Diagnostic code 6512 addresses Sinusitis, frontal, chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 6512 Sinusitis, frontal, chronic. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Read the shared provisions referenced by this code: Sinusitis Formula.
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 6512, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
- Do records identify the treatment, procedure and relevant dates that the provision actually distinguishes?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
DC 6513: Sinusitis, Maxillary, Chronic
Diagnostic code 6513 addresses Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 6513 Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Read the shared provisions referenced by this code: Sinusitis Formula.
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 6513, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
- Do records identify the treatment, procedure and relevant dates that the provision actually distinguishes?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
DC 6514: Sinusitis, Sphenoid, Chronic
Diagnostic code 6514 addresses Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Read the shared provisions referenced by this code: Sinusitis Formula.
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 6514, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do dated records describe the frequency and duration specified by this particular provision, using its definitions?
- Do records identify the treatment, procedure and relevant dates that the provision actually distinguishes?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
Sinusitis Formula
Referenced by DC 6510, DC 6511, DC 6512, DC 6513, DC 6514. Apply only as each code directs, including its conditions and exceptions.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514): | |
| 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 | 50 |
| 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 | 30 |
| 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 | 10 |
| Detected by X-ray only | 0 |
| Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician. | |
| 1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter. | |
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.
Related Guides
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
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