Rhinitis VA Disability Rating: Criteria, Evidence & Pay

What is rhinitis and how does it affect veterans?

Rhinitis is chronic inflammation of the nasal passages that causes persistent congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and difficulty breathing through the nose. The nasal membranes swell, produce excess mucus, and obstruct normal airflow. Rhinitis can be allergic (triggered by allergens like dust, pollen, and mold) or non-allergic (triggered by irritants, temperature changes, or other factors). Many veterans have a combination of both types.

Veterans develop chronic rhinitis at elevated rates because of the environmental conditions encountered during military service. Prolonged exposure to desert dust, burn pit smoke, diesel exhaust, industrial chemicals, mold in barracks, and other airborne irritants damages the nasal mucosa and triggers chronic inflammation. Even after the exposure ends, the nasal passages remain sensitized and inflamed, causing persistent symptoms.

While rhinitis may seem like a minor condition, chronic nasal obstruction significantly affects quality of life. It disrupts sleep by forcing mouth breathing and contributing to sleep apnea. It reduces the sense of smell and taste, affecting enjoyment of food. Constant post-nasal drip causes throat irritation, coughing, and nausea. Chronic congestion leads to sinus pressure and headaches. Perhaps most importantly, rhinitis often leads to secondary conditions like sinusitis and asthma that carry higher individual ratings.

VA diagnostic code for rhinitis

Rhinitis is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6522 per 38 CFR § 4.97, Schedule of Ratings — Respiratory System.

DC 6522 covers allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. The rating criteria focus on two objective findings: the degree of nasal obstruction and the presence or absence of nasal polyps. The VA evaluates these during the C&P exam through physical examination of the nasal passages.

Rating criteria for rhinitis

The VA assigns rhinitis ratings at three possible levels:

0% rating

Criteria: The condition is diagnosed and service-connected but symptoms are mild and do not meet the criteria for a 10% rating.

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection, which is valuable for secondary claims for sinusitis, sleep apnea, and other related conditions)

10% rating — $180.42/month

Criteria: Without polyps, but with greater than 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

What this looks like: You have chronic nasal congestion that significantly blocks airflow. More than half of the nasal passage is obstructed on both sides, or one side is completely blocked. You breathe through your mouth frequently, especially at night. Nasal sprays and medications help but do not fully resolve the obstruction. A physical exam shows swollen nasal turbinates and narrowed nasal passages, but no polyps are present.

30% rating — $552.47/month

Criteria: With polyps.

What this looks like: You have nasal polyps — benign growths on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses caused by chronic inflammation. Polyps further obstruct airflow, reduce your sense of smell, and create an environment for recurrent sinus infections. Polyps are visible on physical examination or documented on nasal endoscopy or CT scan. You may have had polypectomy surgery, but polyps have recurred.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records showing nasal congestion, allergies, or rhinitis symptoms during service
• Deployment records documenting exposure to dust, burn pits, chemicals, or other airborne irritants
• Post-deployment health assessments noting respiratory or nasal problems
• Records of allergy medications prescribed during service
• If claiming secondary: complete records for the primary service-connected condition

Medical evidence

• Current diagnosis of allergic or vasomotor rhinitis from an ENT specialist or primary care physician
• Nasal endoscopy results — This is the most direct evidence of nasal obstruction and polyps. An ENT specialist uses a small camera to examine the nasal passages and document findings.
• CT scan of the sinuses — Can show nasal polyps, turbinate hypertrophy, and mucosal swelling
• Treatment records documenting ongoing symptoms and medication management
• Prescription records for nasal corticosteroid sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, and other rhinitis medications
• Allergy testing results if applicable
• Records of any nasal surgeries (turbinate reduction, polypectomy, septoplasty)

Nexus letter

A medical opinion connecting your rhinitis to service. The nexus letter should explain how specific in-service exposures (burn pit smoke, desert dust, chemicals) caused chronic nasal inflammation. If you had no rhinitis symptoms before service and developed them during or after deployment, the nexus should emphasize this timeline. Cite relevant medical literature on the effects of particulate matter and toxic exposure on nasal mucosa.

Buddy statements

Statements from fellow service members who can describe the environmental conditions during deployment. Statements from family members who have observed your chronic congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, frequent nose blowing, and the impact on your sleep and daily comfort.

Personal statement

Describe the environmental exposures during service, when nasal symptoms began, how the condition has progressed, and how rhinitis affects your daily life. Document your medication use, the limitations rhinitis causes (poor sleep, reduced smell and taste, headaches from congestion), and any related conditions that have developed.

C&P exam tips for rhinitis

What the examiner evaluates

• Confirmation of rhinitis diagnosis
• Physical examination of nasal passages for obstruction and polyps
• Degree of nasal obstruction (percentage on each side)
• Presence or absence of nasal polyps
• Current treatment regimen
• Impact on daily functioning
• If claiming secondary or from toxic exposure: the connection to service

How to prepare

1. Do not use decongestants before the exam. Nasal decongestant sprays (like Afrin) or oral decongestants taken before the exam can temporarily shrink swollen nasal tissues and make your obstruction appear less severe than it normally is. Ask your doctor about timing of medications before the exam.
2. Bring imaging and endoscopy results. If you have had a nasal endoscopy or sinus CT showing polyps or turbinate hypertrophy, bring those results. Objective imaging evidence supports your claim.
3. Describe both sides. The rating criteria distinguish between bilateral (both sides) and unilateral (one side) obstruction. Make sure the examiner evaluates and documents obstruction on each side separately.
4. Report all related symptoms. Mention congestion, post-nasal drip, sneezing, reduced smell, headaches from congestion, mouth breathing, sleep disruption, and any other symptoms. This paints a complete clinical picture.
5. Mention polyps specifically. If you have been diagnosed with nasal polyps (current or history of), make sure the examiner knows. The presence of polyps is the difference between a 10% and 30% rating.

Common mistakes

• Using decongestant medications right before the exam, temporarily reducing visible obstruction
• Not having an ENT evaluation documenting the degree of obstruction
• Forgetting to mention a history of nasal polyps or previous polypectomy
• Not connecting rhinitis to downstream conditions like sinusitis and sleep apnea
• Describing symptoms only when they flare up rather than explaining the chronic daily baseline
• Not requesting that the examiner measure and document the percentage of obstruction on each side

Common secondary conditions linked to rhinitis

Rhinitis is often connected to other conditions that can increase your overall combined rating:

• Sinusitis — Chronic nasal inflammation blocks sinus drainage, directly causing recurrent sinus infections. This is one of the most well-established secondary connections. Many veterans with rhinitis also qualify for a separate sinusitis rating.
• Sleep apnea — Chronic nasal obstruction forces mouth breathing and contributes to upper airway collapse during sleep. The connection between rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea is supported by extensive medical research.
• Migraines — Chronic nasal and sinus congestion triggers headaches. Many veterans with rhinitis experience frequent headaches that may qualify as migraines under a separate diagnostic code.
• Asthma — The unified airway model demonstrates that upper airway inflammation (rhinitis) triggers lower airway inflammation (asthma). Treating rhinitis often improves asthma control, confirming the connection.
• Depression — The chronic nature of rhinitis — constant congestion, poor sleep, reduced quality of life — contributes to depression over time. Veterans dealing with multiple chronic conditions including rhinitis are at increased risk.

Standalone rating amounts for rhinitis

For reference, here are the 2026 monthly payment amounts for rhinitis at each rating level (veteran with no dependents):

These amounts increase with dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents). The 0% rating pays nothing but establishes service connection, which is valuable for secondary claims and future increases if the condition worsens.

Note that rhinitis is frequently claimed alongside sinusitis and sleep apnea, and these conditions can be separately rated when they involve distinct symptoms and diagnostic codes.

Even at the maximum 30% rating for rhinitis alone, the condition serves as an important anchor for secondary claims that can substantially increase your total compensation.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. While rhinitis alone maxes out at 30%, it often co-occurs with sinusitis, sleep apnea, and other conditions that together produce a much higher combined rating. Many veterans with rhinitis have a combined rating of 50% or higher when all related respiratory conditions are factored in.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• Understand how VA math combines ratings
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.