Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic (DC 6511)

Rating levels

• 50% — You qualify for 50% if you have chronic ethmoid sinusitis that either led to chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection) following radical surgery, OR causes near-constant symptoms after repeated surgeries with headaches, pain and tenderness over the ethmoid sinus area (between the eyes), plus purulent discharge or crusting. This is the maximum rating under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis.
• 30% — You qualify for 30% if your chronic ethmoid sinusitis causes EITHER: three or more incapacitating episodes per year, each requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks; OR more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year with headaches, pain over the ethmoid sinus area (between the eyes), and purulent discharge or crusting.
• 10% — You qualify for 10% if your chronic ethmoid sinusitis causes EITHER: one or two incapacitating episodes per year, each requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks; OR three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year with headaches, pain over the ethmoid sinus area (between the eyes), and purulent discharge or crusting.
• 0% — You qualify for the 0% rating if your chronic ethmoid sinusitis can only be detected on X-ray or other imaging without producing noticeable clinical symptoms. The 0% rating confirms service connection but does not pay compensation by itself; it can still matter if symptoms develop later.