Chronic Sinusitis — VA Rating Guide

The rating ladder

What the VA looks for at each percentage.

How to describe it (and win the rating)

• Document each episode with dates, physician confirmation, and whether bed rest was ordered to establish 'incapacitating' status.
• For antibiotic courses, note the exact start/end dates to prove 'prolonged (4-6 weeks)' treatment.
• Distinguish clearly between incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes since each has separate frequency thresholds.
• Record the specific characteristic symptoms present at each visit: headaches, facial pain/tenderness, purulent discharge, and crusting.
• If radical surgery was performed, obtain operative reports and any diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis to support the 50% tier.

Evidence that helps

• Physician treatment records confirming bed rest orders for incapacitating episodes
• Pharmacy/prescription records showing antibiotic type and duration (4-6 weeks)
• Clinical notes documenting headaches, pain, purulent discharge, or crusting
• CT or imaging reports establishing sinusitis when symptoms are minimal (0% tier)
• Operative/surgical reports for any radical sinus surgery
• Pathology or diagnostic records confirming chronic osteomyelitis
• A log or calendar of episodes across the year to establish annual frequency

Next steps

Related conditions & secondary claims

Conditions medically linked to Sinusitis — each can be worth a separate or secondary claim:

• Rhinitis / sinusitis — Chronic sinusitis and rhinitis frequently occur together and are often claimed as a pair.
• Asthma — Upper- and lower-airway conditions commonly co-exist.

Common questions

What is the VA disability rating for chronic sinusitis?

The VA rates chronic sinusitis under 38 CFR diagnostic code 6513. The rating tiers are: 0% — Detected by imaging only; no incapacitating episodes and no characteristic symptoms of the required frequency.; 10% — One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (4-6 weeks) antibiotic treatment, OR three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.; 30% — Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (4-6 weeks) antibiotic treatment, OR more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.; 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.. Your exact percentage depends on the severity documented in your records and C&P exam.

How much VA disability compensation is chronic sinusitis?

Monthly pay depends on your assigned rating percentage and your dependents, not the condition alone. Chronic Sinusitis can be rated from 0% to 50%. Use the free US Vet Help disability calculator for your exact 2026 monthly amount.

What evidence do I need for a chronic sinusitis VA claim?

Evidence that helps includes: Physician treatment records confirming bed rest orders for incapacitating episodes; Pharmacy/prescription records showing antibiotic type and duration (4-6 weeks); Clinical notes documenting headaches, pain, purulent discharge, or crusting; CT or imaging reports establishing sinusitis when symptoms are minimal (0% tier); Operative/surgical reports for any radical sinus surgery; Pathology or diagnostic records confirming chronic osteomyelitis; A log or calendar of episodes across the year to establish annual frequency.

How do I get the correct rating for chronic sinusitis?

To be rated accurately: Document each episode with dates, physician confirmation, and whether bed rest was ordered to establish 'incapacitating' status.; For antibiotic courses, note the exact start/end dates to prove 'prolonged (4-6 weeks)' treatment.; Distinguish clearly between incapacitating and non-incapacitating episodes since each has separate frequency thresholds.; Record the specific characteristic symptoms present at each visit: headaches, facial pain/tenderness, purulent discharge, and crusting.; If radical surgery was performed, obtain operative reports and any diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis to support the 50% tier..