VA Disability Ratings for Allergic Rhinitis Explained!

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Allergic rhinitis—commonly known as hay fever—is inflammation in the nose triggered by allergens like dust, pollen, or animal dander.

For many veterans, this seemingly mild condition goes untreated, overlooked, or undervalued when it comes to VA disability claims.

But understanding how the VA rates allergic rhinitis—under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6522—from 10% to 30%, can significantly increase both your rating and your monthly tax-free compensation.

Let’s begin!

Summary of Key Points

• Allergic rhinitis is rated at either 10% or 30% by the VA under Diagnostic Code 6522, depending on whether both nasal passages are obstructed or if polyps are present. These ratings reflect the condition’s impact on breathing, sleep, and daily life.

• The PACT Act makes allergic rhinitis a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to burn pits, meaning eligible veterans no longer need to prove a direct link between their condition and service if they served in qualifying locations and timeframes.

• Rhinitis often leads to or worsens other service-connected conditions, such as chronic sinusitis, asthma, sleep apnea, migraines, GERD, or chronic fatigue—opening the door to secondary service connection and higher combined ratings.

• Winning a VA claim for allergic rhinitis requires solid evidence, including a current diagnosis, a service connection or presumptive exposure, symptom severity documentation, and a strong C&P exam. A nexus letter and detailed symptom tracking can strengthen your case.

What are the VA Ratings for Allergic Rhinitis?

The VA rates allergic rhinitis at either 10% or 30%, depending on the severity of symptoms and whether there are nasal polyps:

• 30% VA rating: Applies when nasal polyps are present.

• 10% VA rating: Applies when there are no polyps, but both nasal passages are more than 50% obstructed—or one is completely blocked on exam.

These ratings reflect how your symptoms affect your breathing, sleep, and quality of life—and yes, they carry real monthly value.

How to Prove Your VA Claim for Allergic Rhinitis

To secure a VA rating for rhinitis, you’ll need to prove:

• Current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in a medical record.

• In-service event, injury, disease, or exposure (e.g., sandstorms, burn pits, dust).

• Medical nexus (e.g., link or  connection) between your rhinitis and military service

• Severity of symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration.

For example, if you served in a desert environment and later developed persistent rhinitis, your claim should include service treatment records, private or VA medical records, and a nexus letter from a private healthcare provider.

Allergic Rhinitis Presumptive VA Benefits Under the PACT Act

If you served in areas with burn pit exposure and now suffer from allergic rhinitis, the PACT Act may be your fast track to VA disability benefits—with no need to prove direct causation.

Here’s what that means and who qualifies.

What is the PACT Act and Presumptive VA Disability Benefits?

The PACT Act (Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) recognizes allergic rhinitis as a presumptive condition for eligible veterans exposed to burn pits and other airborne hazards during military service.

This presumption eliminates the need to prove a direct service connection between your exposure and your diagnosis—the VA assumes the link is there automatically.

Who Qualifies for Presumptive Service Connection?

To qualify for allergic rhinitis under the PACT Act presumptive list, you must meet all three of the following criteria:

• Current Diagnosis: You have a medical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis from a licensed healthcare provider.

• Qualifying Location & Timeframe: You served in one of the following areas during or after the time periods listed:
  • Southwest Asia (e.g., Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia) on or after August 2, 1990
  • Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or Uzbekistan on or after September 11, 2001

• Honorable Discharge: You received an honorable or other qualifying discharge from active-duty military service.

Why This Matters for Veterans

Veterans who meet these criteria no longer need to provide evidence of a time-specific onset of symptoms or proof of exposure.

The VA presumes you were exposed to airborne hazards such as:

• Smoke and toxins from burn pits

• Particulate matter (dust, sand, pollution)

• Mechanical and industrial fumes

• Other environmental contaminants common in deployment zones

This shift greatly streamlines the claims process and puts the burden of proof on the VA—not you.

No Time Limit on Diagnosis

Another powerful advantage: there is no deadline for when the allergic rhinitis diagnosis must occur.

Even if your symptoms developed years after service, the presumption still applies if you meet the criteria.

The Bottom Line

If you meet the basic criteria, the burden of proof shifts in your favor—and that makes it significantly easier to win your allergic rhinitis VA claim.

Common Secondary Conditions from Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis can also be a secondary condition and often contributes to or worsens other conditions—including:

1. Chronic Sinusitis

Long-term inflammation of the sinuses due to persistent congestion, creating pressure, facial pain, and thick nasal discharge.

2. Nasal Polyps

Benign growths inside the nasal passages caused by chronic inflammation—often resulting in reduced smell, breathing difficulties, and frequent sinus infections.

3. Allergic Asthma

Rhinitis triggers airway inflammation, wheezing, and shortness of breath in susceptible individuals—especially when pollen, mold, or pet dander are involved.

4. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Blocked nasal passages worsen snoring and interrupted breathing during sleep, raising OSA risk—leading to daytime drowsiness and cardiovascular strain.

5. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction & Otitis Media

Congestion can block the ear’s drainage tubes, trapping fluid in the middle ear—leading to pressure, hearing loss, infections, and ear pain.

6. Allergic Conjunctivitis

The same allergens that inflame the nose often irritate the eyes—causing redness, itching, tearing, and swelling.

7. Laryngeal Edema & Vocal Cord Spasms

Inflammation may reach the throat, triggering swelling or spasms in vocal cords—making speech hoarse or triggering sudden throat tightness.

8. Chronic Cough & Bronchitis

Frequent post-nasal drip irritates the throat and airway, leading to persistent coughing and possibly bronchial inflammation or recurring bronchitis.

9. Migraines & Sinus Headaches

Pressure in blocked sinuses can launch intense headaches or migraines, sometimes with sensitivity to light or nausea.

10. GERD & Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Irritated throat tissue and coughing can trigger or worsen acid reflux, throat clearing, and hoarseness.

11. Mood & Cognitive Disorders

Ongoing sleep disruption and irritation from symptoms contribute to anxiety, depression, brain fog, irritability, and memory challenges.

12. Chronic Fatigue & Reduced Stamina

Fatigue often follows poor sleep and breathing difficulty—even mild symptoms can drain energy reserves over time.

13. Dermatologic Issues: Dermatitis / Eczema

Allergic and inflammatory responses that begin in the nose may exacerbate chronic skin conditions like eczema—especially in inflamed or atopic skin.

14. Immune System Dysregulation

Frequent allergen exposure and persistent infection may lead to an overactive immune response—raising risks for other atopic or autoimmune conditions.

What to Expect at Your C&P Exam for Allergic Rhinitis

If you’ve filed a VA claim for allergic rhinitis, your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam plays a critical role in determining whether your claim will be approved—and how your condition will be rated.

Here are six key elements of the C&P exam you need to be prepared for:

1. Detailed Symptom Interview

The exam typically begins with a verbal interview or questionnaire. The examiner will ask about the frequency, severity, and duration of your allergic rhinitis symptoms. Be ready to explain how long you’ve had symptoms, when they started, your military exposure history (including locations like Southwest Asia or Afghanistan), known allergen triggers (e.g., dust, pollen, smoke), and current treatment methods such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, or avoidance techniques.

Pro Tip: Describe how your symptoms affect your daily life—especially sleep, concentration, work performance, or physical activity.

2. Review of Your Medical Records

The examiner will closely review your medical history, including previous diagnoses, prescription medications, allergy tests, ER visits, ENT consultations, and any other evidence related to your allergic rhinitis. If you’ve ever been diagnosed with sinusitis, nasal polyps, asthma, or sleep apnea, make sure this information is included in your file.

3. Physical Examination

A physical exam will be conducted, with emphasis on your nasal passages, throat, sinuses, and eyes. The examiner will check for signs like nasal blockage, swelling, redness, discharge, or polyps. They may also assess whether you have greater than 50% obstruction on both sides of your nose or complete obstruction on one side—criteria that directly impact your VA rating under Diagnostic Code 6522.

4. Impact on Functional Capacity

The VA needs to understand how your allergic rhinitis affects your everyday functioning—not just symptoms on paper. Be honest and specific. If you’ve had to miss work, struggle with poor sleep due to congestion, or avoid certain environments because of constant flare-ups, share that. Limitations in social settings, physical exertion, or cognitive focus can also be relevant.

5. Additional Respiratory Testing (If Needed)

In some cases—especially if you report shortness of breath or overlapping respiratory issues—the examiner may order or conduct pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to assess how allergic rhinitis may be affecting your respiratory health.

6. Completion of the DBQ

Finally, the examiner will complete the VA’s Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Sinusitis, Rhinitis, and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx, and Pharynx. This document captures all findings from the exam and serves as a key piece of evidence for the VA Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR), who will use it to decide whether to approve, deny, or defer your claim.

Bottom Line: Come prepared. Bring a copy of your medical records, know your symptoms inside and out, and be specific about how allergic rhinitis impacts your quality of life. The more clearly you can describe the impact, the stronger your claim will be.

Pro Tips to Maximize Your VA Rating for Rhinitis

• Track symptoms: Keep a daily log of congestion, sneezing, sleep issues.

• Medical documentation: Collect military, VA, and private medical records, imaging, and polyp removal reports.

• Prescription and treatment evidence: Detail how ongoing treatment (e.g., nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines), frequent refills, or allergy shots support your claim—showing active management of symptoms.

• Presumptive service connection: If you qualify for rhinitis as a presumptive condition, go for it! It’s easier to get it service-connected if you qualify because the condition is automatically assumed to be connected to your military service.

• Nexus letter: Ask your provider to specifically link rhinitis to service or a service-connected condition (you can also hire a private medical expert to help with a nexus letter).

• C&P exam: Be ready to describe severity of symptoms and obstruction during the exam.

• Secondary claims: Don’t forget to include related conditions like sinusitis or sleep apnea.

Example Case in Action

Joe served in Iraq from 2003–2008, spent months near burn pits, and recently began dealing with constant sneezing, nasal congestion, and fatigue.

His ENT confirmed large nasal polyps.

With his diagnosis and service tag, Joe qualifies for a 30% rating under the PACT Act.

Conclusion & Wrap-Up

Allergic rhinitis isn’t just seasonal sneezing—it’s a serious, medically recognized condition that the VA compensates when connected to your military service.

With proper documentation, detailed exam preparation, and awareness of secondary conditions and presumptive benefits under the PACT Act, you can secure a meaningful rating—and the compensation you’ve earned.

Let the VA pay for what you’ve already paid in service.

And don’t ever forget: YOU SERVED—YOU DESERVE!

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