Last updated: November 2026
A nose that never clears gets old fast. You breathe through your mouth at night, go through nasal spray like it's water, and tell people "it's just allergies" because that's easier than explaining that you haven't breathed normally in years. Maybe it started after a deployment near a burn pit, or maybe it has been there since basic training and never went away.
VA does rate chronic rhinitis, and the PACT Act (the 2022 law that expanded benefits for toxic exposures) made it easier for many veterans to get it service-connected. The rating criteria are narrow and depend on specific measurements, so it helps to know what VA is looking for before you file. This guide covers how VA defines and rates chronic rhinitis, the paths to service connection, the evidence that matters, what happens at the exam, common reasons for denial, secondary conditions, and when unemployability benefits might apply.
I'm not an attorney or a VSO (Veterans Service Organization, a group with VA-accredited representatives who help with claims for free), and this post isn't legal advice. It's general education based on VA's published rules.
Chronic Rhinitis at a Glance
Diagnostic code: Diagnostic Code (DC) 6522, "Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis," under 38 CFR 4.97. Bacterial rhinitis (DC 6523) and granulomatous rhinitis (DC 6524) are separate codes.
Rating levels: 10% and 30% under DC 6522. The code itself doesn't list a 0% level.
Common paths to service connection: Presumptive (VA automatically assumes a service link for certain veterans without them having to prove it), under the PACT Act, for veterans with qualifying burn pit or airborne hazard exposure. Direct, meaning the condition started in service and continued. Secondary, meaning a service-connected condition caused or worsened it.
Key evidence: ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) records that document how blocked each nasal passage is and whether you have nasal polyps, plus statements from you and people who see your symptoms.
Main exam: A C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam, the medical appointment VA orders to decide your claim. The examiner uses a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), a standard VA form, for sinusitis, rhinitis, and other conditions of the nose, throat, larynx, and pharynx: VA Form 21-0960N-4.
Official criteria: 38 CFR 4.97 on eCFR.
How the VA Defines Chronic Rhinitis
Rhinitis is inflammation and swelling of the lining inside your nose. A cold causes it for a week or two. Chronic rhinitis sticks around, causing congestion, a blocked nasal passage, drainage, and sometimes nasal polyps. Polyps are soft, noncancerous growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses that can block airflow.
VA rates rhinitis under 38 CFR 4.97, the respiratory system section of the rating schedule. That section covers the nose and throat along with the lungs, and it also includes sinusitis and other nasal conditions.
DC 6522 covers two types:
Allergic rhinitis: Triggered by things like dust, pollen, mold, or other airborne irritants.
Vasomotor rhinitis: Congestion and drainage that aren't caused by allergies, often set off by smoke, fumes, temperature changes, or strong odors.
Bacterial rhinitis (DC 6523) and granulomatous rhinitis (DC 6524) are rarer conditions with their own criteria. Granulomatous rhinitis, for example, includes Wegener's granulomatosis, which VA rates at 100%. This guide focuses on DC 6522 because it's the code most veterans with chronic congestion fall under.
For VA purposes, a diagnosis alone doesn't tell the rater much. A rater is the VA employee who reviews your evidence and assigns your rating. What the rater needs is an exam of the inside of your nose, often by an ENT using a rhinoscopy (a look inside the nasal passages with a light or a thin scope). That exam can show how much of each passage is blocked and whether polyps are present. Those two findings drive the rating, not how stuffy you feel or how many tissues you go through.
How the VA Rates Chronic Rhinitis
DC 6522 has only two rating levels:
| Rating | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| 30% | You have nasal polyps. |
| 10% | You don't have polyps, but each nasal passage is more than 50% blocked, or one side is completely blocked. |
Read the full rating criteria on eCFR.
A few things are worth knowing about how this plays out:
Polyps are the dividing line for 30%. If polyps are present, the obstruction percentage doesn't matter for that level. Without polyps, 10% is the ceiling under this code.
The 10% level has two routes, and both are specific. Either both sides are more than half blocked, or one side is fully blocked. One side at 80% and the other at 30% doesn't meet either route.
If you don't meet the 10% criteria, the rating is 0%. Under 38 CFR 4.31, VA assigns 0% when a code has no 0% level and you don't meet the lowest compensable one. A 0% rating still means VA agrees your condition is service-connected, which matters if it worsens later or causes secondary conditions.
For what each rating pays, see my post on current VA disability pay rates.
Rhinitis, Sinusitis, and Pyramiding
Many veterans have both rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. VA's rule against pyramiding, in 38 CFR 4.14, means the same symptoms can't be rated twice under different diagnoses. Rhinitis and sinusitis are separate diagnoses with separate criteria, so they can be rated separately when each one is documented and the ratings rest on different findings. Under Esteban v. Brown (1994), distinct, non-overlapping manifestations can be rated separately without pyramiding.
A Proposed Change to the Respiratory Rating Schedule
VA has proposed revising the ear, nose, throat, and respiratory sections of the rating schedule. The proposed rule was published February 15, 2022 (87 FR 8474, RIN 2900-AQ72), with a supplemental proposal published September 12, 2024 (89 FR 74162). As of November 2026, neither has become a final rule, so claims today are rated under the current DC 6522 criteria above.
If VA does finalize changes, 38 U.S.C. 1155 protects existing ratings. A schedule change alone can't lower your rating unless your condition has actually improved.
Getting Chronic Rhinitis Service Connected
Direct Service Connection
Direct service connection, under 38 CFR 3.303, means your rhinitis started or got worse during service. VA generally looks for three things: a current diagnosis, evidence of the condition or an exposure in service, and a nexus. A nexus is a medical opinion linking your current condition to service.
Service treatment records showing sick call visits for congestion, allergy medication, or nasal complaints help a lot. If you didn't go to sick call, records of continued symptoms after separation and statements from people who knew you then can help fill the gap. Exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, or chemicals as part of your duties can also support the in-service piece.
Secondary Service Connection
Under 38 CFR 3.310, you can service-connect a condition that was caused by, or made worse by, a condition that's already service-connected. The second path is called aggravation.
Secondary claims depend on a medical opinion. The opinion needs to say your rhinitis is "at least as likely as not" (a 50% chance or better) caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition, and explain why. For example, a veteran with service-connected chronic sinusitis might have an ENT write that years of sinus inflammation contributed to ongoing inflammation of the nasal lining. A one-line opinion without reasoning rarely carries much weight.
Presumptive Service Connection
This is the path that changed things for many veterans. VA lists chronic rhinitis among the respiratory conditions presumed connected to burn pit and other airborne hazard exposure, alongside asthma diagnosed after service, chronic bronchitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). You can see it on VA's burn pits and airborne hazards page.
Presumptive means VA assumes the link between your service and the condition, so you don't have to independently prove the burn pit caused your rhinitis. You do need two things: qualifying service in a covered location during a covered time period, and a current diagnosis. VA's PACT Act page explains the law, and my PACT Act guide has the full list of covered locations and dates.
Keep in mind that presumptive service connection gets you through the door, not to a particular rating. Your rating still depends on the obstruction and polyp findings described above.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
Rhinitis claims rise or fall on a small number of documents. Focus on these:
ENT or primary care records with measurements. The most valuable record is one that notes the percentage of obstruction on each side and whether polyps are present. A note that just says "congestion" or "allergic rhinitis" confirms the diagnosis but doesn't help the rater pick a level. If your records don't include these findings, ask your provider to measure and document them at your next visit.
Records of polyp removal or nasal surgery. Surgical reports and pathology results document polyps clearly. If polyps came back after surgery, the follow-up notes matter too.
Proof of qualifying service. For a PACT Act claim, your DD-214 (your discharge papers), deployment orders, or other records showing where and when you served.
Service treatment records. For a direct claim, any in-service visits for congestion, sinus problems, or allergies.
Lay evidence. Lay evidence is a statement from you or someone who knows you about what you've personally observed. Your spouse can describe your mouth-breathing, snoring, or waking up gasping. A coworker can describe you constantly clearing your nose. Use VA Form 21-10210 for these statements.
A nexus letter. Required for a secondary claim, and helpful for a direct claim without strong service records.
My guide on gathering medical evidence covers how to request records and work with your doctors. My Evidence Organizer has logs for records requests and buddy statements that can help you keep your ENT records and statements organized in one place.
If you're still gathering records, an intent to file under 38 CFR 3.155 gives you one year to submit a complete claim and can protect an earlier effective date.
What to Expect at Your C&P Exam
The examiner will likely use the DBQ that covers sinusitis, rhinitis, and other nose and throat conditions. For rhinitis, the form asks the examiner direct questions that mirror DC 6522: whether there's more than 50% obstruction on both sides, whether either side is completely obstructed, and whether nasal polyps are present. The same DBQ has a separate sinusitis section, so if you claimed both, expect questions about each.
The examiner may complete the DBQ by reviewing your records, examining you in person, or both. If you're seen in person, expect the examiner to look inside your nose.
A few practical tips:
Be concrete. "My nose is always stuffy" doesn't map to anything on the form. "I can't breathe through my left side at all" or "I've had polyps removed twice" does.
Describe your symptoms when medication wears off. Nasal sprays and allergy medication can open your airway for a few hours. The DC 6522 criteria don't mention medication, and under Jones v. Shinseki (2012), VA may not factor in how medication improves your symptoms unless the rating criteria specifically mention it. Tell the examiner what you take, what you're like without it, and any side effects.
Mention past procedures. Polyp removal, septum surgery, or sinus surgery should all come up.
My post on what to expect at your C&P exam covers the process in general, including what to do if the report gets it wrong. My C&P Exam Prep Workbook includes a daily symptom log and a one-page exam summary that can help you organize how you'll describe your breathing before you walk in.
Common Reasons Chronic Rhinitis Claims Are Denied
These patterns show up again and again. The Board examples below come from individual Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions. Under 38 CFR 20.1303, those decisions aren't precedential and only apply to the case decided, but they show how VA applies the rules.
The findings don't meet the threshold. In a 2025 Board decision, a veteran's request for a higher rating was denied because the record didn't show polyps, more than 50% obstruction on both sides, or complete obstruction on one side. Real, daily symptoms weren't enough without those findings.
A companion claim had no diagnosis. In that same decision, the veteran's chronic sinusitis claim was denied because there was no current diagnosis. Overlapping symptoms don't substitute for a separately documented condition.
The exam decided the case. The Board relied directly on the examination report that addressed the rating criteria. If an exam doesn't record obstruction on each side or check for polyps, it's hard to get the rating your condition supports. An exam that skips the criteria may be inadequate, and VA's duty to assist can require a new one.
If you've been denied, start by matching the reason in your decision letter to the right fix. New ENT measurements usually call for a Supplemental Claim (a request for a new decision based on new evidence), while an inadequate exam that VA relied on may be grounds for a Higher-Level Review (a senior reviewer's fresh look at the same evidence). VA's decision reviews page explains each option. The practical takeaway: get records and exams that speak VA's language of percentages and polyps.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Chronic Rhinitis
Obstructive sleep apnea is the big one. Multiple Board decisions have granted sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected rhinitis or sinusitis, using several theories:
Nasal obstruction: A blocked nose during sleep can contribute to obstructed breathing. In one case, a private doctor's opinion that in-service allergic rhinitis contributed to sleep apnea through nasal obstruction supported the grant.
Medication side effects: In another case, the veteran argued that medications for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis caused weight gain that led to sleep apnea, and the Board granted service connection.
Aggravation: Other decisions found sleep apnea was worsened beyond its natural progression by service-connected rhinitis or sinusitis.
These are individual Board decisions, so they illustrate arguments that have worked rather than guarantee an outcome. Each one rested on a medical opinion explaining the connection. If you snore, wake up exhausted, or a partner has noticed you stop breathing, ask your doctor about a sleep study. My sleep apnea guide covers that condition in depth. For many veterans, sleep apnea ends up being the larger part of the claim.
Rhinitis itself often travels with, or develops from, other conditions:
Asthma: Allergic airway inflammation often affects both the nose and the lungs.
Chronic sinusitis: Inflammation in the nose and sinuses frequently overlaps.
Deviated septum: A crooked septum can worsen obstruction and is rated under its own code.
Allergies: Documented in-service allergies can support the link for allergic rhinitis.
If you already have one of these service-connected, talk with your doctor about whether a secondary opinion makes sense.
When TDIU May Apply
TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) pays at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions keep you from holding substantially gainful work. Schedular TDIU, meaning TDIU based on your ratings meeting set thresholds, has requirements under 38 CFR 4.16(a): one condition rated at least 60%, or two or more conditions with one rated at least 40% and a combined rating of at least 70%.
Rhinitis maxes out at 30%, so it won't meet those thresholds alone. The more realistic path is a combined picture. Rhinitis plus secondary sleep apnea, for example, can mean daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and trouble staying alert on the job. Under 4.16(a), disabilities from a common etiology (the same root cause) or affecting a single body system can count as one disability for the thresholds. Rhinitis, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are all rated in the respiratory section of the schedule, which can matter here.
If you don't meet the thresholds but your service-connected conditions still keep you from working, 4.16(b) allows referral for extraschedular TDIU, meaning a decision outside the standard rating thresholds. TDIU is claimed on VA Form 21-8940, and detailed work history and statements about how your symptoms affect your job carry real weight.
Conclusion
Chronic rhinitis claims come down to a few specific findings: polyps, or how much of each nasal passage is blocked. Your first step is to pull your ENT or primary care records and check whether they document those findings. If they don't, ask your provider to measure and note them at your next visit. If you served in a PACT Act location, gather your service records too, since the presumption can remove the hardest part of proving service connection.
If sleep problems are part of your picture, look into a sleep study and a secondary claim. An accredited VSO can help you build all of it for free. You can find an accredited representative on VA.gov and start the search this week.
Wondering how this applies to your condition? Every veteran's situation is a little different. Schedule a free consultation to talk through what you've read and get connected with a VSO who can help with your claim.
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