A deviated septum can lead to loss of quality sleep, and also cause veterans to develop sleep apnea, headaches, or sinusitis. These conditions can make it difficult to live a normal life. If you are a veteran with a deviated septum from a training accident, military vehicle accident, a fall, or another injury to the face during service, you may qualify for a deviated septum VA rating.
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In this article, we detail what a deviated septum is, how the VA rates the condition, and how to file a claim for a condition secondary to your deviated septum.
In this article about the deviated septum VA rating:
What is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum occurs when the wall between your nasal passages, called the septum, is off-center, causing one nasal passage to be smaller than the other. Up to 80% of the general population may have some degree of septal displacement without even knowing it. While many people don’t experience symptoms, others with a deviated septum can experience serious health concerns.
In many cases, a deviated septum leads to nasal blockages, congestion, and recurring nosebleeds. In more severe cases, the condition can reduce airflow and make it difficult to breathe through one or both sides of the nose.
Other symptoms of a deviated septum include:
- Change of nose shape
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Noisy breathing
- Chronic sinusitis
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
Some people are born with a deviated septum, while others are caused by a blow to the face or nasal trauma from falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or physical fights.
Veterans with a deviated septum are only eligible for a VA rating for a deviated septum if their condition is caused by an injury during service. Veterans born with a deviated septum do not qualify for disability compensation unless military service or service-connected disabilities have aggravated their deviated septum.
Deviated septum VA rating
Under diagnostic code 6502, the only possible rating a veteran can receive for a deviated septum is 10%.
You could receive a 10% rating for deviated septum if:
- You have at least a 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, OR
- You have a complete obstruction of the nasal passage on one side, AND
- Your deviated septum is service-connected due to an injury you incurred during service
Deviated septum and related conditions
Although a 10% disability rating may not seem high, a total rating of 10% earns eligible veterans $175.51 per month. It is also possible to increase your combined VA rating through other conditions related to your deviated septum.
For example, trauma to the nose from a vehicle accident during service could cause a deviated septum. That same injury could also cause nasal disfigurement, paving a path to a higher rating.
Below we explain some of the most common conditions that could be linked to your service-connected deviated septum. If you experience one of these conditions, you could be owed additional monthly compensation from the VA.
Sleep apnea secondary to deviated septum
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing frequently stops during sleep. Due in part to the stress and unpredictable sleep patterns of military service, sleep apnea is prevalent among veterans.
Additionally, veterans with a deviated septum are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea. One study that looked at the relationship between a deviated septum and sleep apnea found that the prevalence of sleep apnea was more than four times higher in those with a deviated septum than in those without.
If you are a veteran with a service-connected deviated septum, and you later develop sleep apnea as a result, you may be eligible to claim sleep apnea secondary to your deviated septum.
Sleep apnea is rated under diagnostic code 6487, with potential disability ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%.
Migraines secondary to deviated septum
Migraines can be a symptom of a deviated septum. When normal, occasional headaches turn into painful migraines, normal everyday tasks and working can become more difficult.
Veterans with a service-connected deviated septum who consistently have migraine headaches may be eligible to claim migraines secondary to a deviated septum.
The lowest rating a veteran can receive for migraines is 0% and the highest is 50%. The VA rating for migraines depends on how often you experience a migraine, and how incapacitated you are during episodes.
Sinusitis secondary to deviated septum
A deviated septum can impair normal drainage from the sinuses, causing more frequent and recurring sinus infections. Anything that consistently blocks drainage or irritates the mucosa can cause sinusitis, a condition in which the sinuses swell and mucus can’t drain properly.
A blow to the face during service that causes a deviated septum could therefore lead to chronic sinusitis. In this case, a veteran could claim VA disability for chronic sinusitis, leading to an increase in their disability rating.
Chronic sinusitis is rated under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis. Potential ratings are 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% based on three factors:
- Severity of your symptoms
- How much medication you need to control symptoms
- Number of “incapacitating episodes” you experience on a yearly basis
Veterans whose service-connected deviated septa cause sinusitis could be owed additional VA disability compensation.
How to service connect a deviated septum
To receive VA benefits, you have to be able to prove that your condition was caused by military service or that your condition was made worse by military service or service-connected disabilities.
Below is what a veteran needs in order to receive VA disability for their deviated septum:
- Current disability (often a diagnosis from a medical professional).
- Proof of the in-service event (fight, training accident, vehicle accident, injury during combat, fall, etc.) that caused your deviated septum.
- A medical nexus between your deviated septum and military service. A medical nexus could be a letter from your doctor explaining how the in-service event caused your septal displacement. A medical nexus can also establish how your deviated septum caused a secondary health condition like the ones listed above.
Once you have gathered all of your evidence, you can file a claim for disability benefits and submit your claim to the VA.
TDIU for nasal issues
Veterans with one or more disabilities may find it difficult, if not impossible, to work and earn a living.
Veterans who are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
While a deviated septum on its own will not keep a veteran from working, a deviated septum caused by an event in service may lead a veteran to developing other secondary health conditions. The combined effects of these conditions and any other health issues tied to your service could qualify you for TDIU.
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TDIU pays the same amount as a 100% disability rating, without the requirement of having a disability rated 100%.
Veterans may eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Under diagnostic code 6502, the only possible rating a veteran can receive for a deviated septum is 10%. However, veterans should be aware of possible secondary conditions that may develop as a result of their deviated septum including sleep apnea and chronic sinusitis. Claiming a secondary condition related to a deviated septum could help increase your overall disability rating.
To receive a VA rating for deviated septum, you have to be able to prove that your condition was caused by military service. To prove your deviated septum is service connected you will need proof of the in-service event (explosion, training accident, etc.) that caused your deviated septum.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
