Condition Rating Guides
Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…
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Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…
A condition where the wall between your nostrils is crooked, making it harder to breathe through your nose. The VA rates a deviated septum based on how much it blocks your nasal airway.
The VA rates this condition based on objective clinical measurements and test results. The examiner will use standardized tests or lab values to determine the severity of your condition rather than relying primarily on subjective symptom reports.
Diagnostic code
DC 6502
Rating range
0% – 10%
Rating levels
2
Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.97, DC 6502. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.
You have 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. This is the maximum rating for a deviated septum.
What the VA looks for
Conditions commonly associated with Deviated Septum or rated under the same body system.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Bronchial Asthma
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Allergic Rhinitis
Chronic Sinusitis
Pulmonary Embolism (Residuals)
Sarcoidosis
Bronchiectasis