- Diagnostic Code
- 6514
- CFR Section
- §4.97 — Respiratory
Rating Tiers
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
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
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
Detected by X-ray only
Rated Under Formula
This condition is rated using the §4.97 general rating formula.
What Raters Look For
Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Respiratory conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.
M21-1 III.iv.4.B- •Pulmonary function test results: FEV1 (% of predicted), FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, and DLCO
- •Exercise tolerance in METs (metabolic equivalents) if cardiac limitation is also relevant
- •Frequency of exacerbations requiring medical visits, oral steroids, or hospitalization
- •Oxygen therapy use — whether prescribed and under what conditions
- •Sleep study results and AHI score if sleep apnea is claimed
- •Medication regimen: inhalers, systemic steroids, biologics
- •Smoking history (noted but not used to reduce rating)