How to Get an Allergic Rhinitis VA Rating (Up to 100%)

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If you’re a veteran dealing with allergic rhinitis, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. 

This post will cover allergic rhinitis eligibility criteria, how the VA presumes service connection in certain cases, and how to file for VA disability benefits. 

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Summary of Key Points

• You may be eligible for a VA disability rating and compensation if you can prove your military service caused or aggravated your allergic rhinitis.  

•  The VA rhinitis rating is based on nasal obstruction, polyps, specific infections, or granulomatous disease, with higher ratings for severe conditions. 

• Veterans seeking VA disability benefits should provide medical evidence linking their allergic rhinitis to military service or exposure to environmental hazards. 

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is a condition where the immune system overreacts to allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and outdoor allergens, causing inflammation in the nasal passages.  

While airborne hazards such as smoke, pollution, or burn pit exposure can act as irritants that worsen symptoms. This reaction leads to persistent nasal congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure.  

Unlike bacterial rhinitis, which stems from infections, or vasomotor rhinitis, which is triggered by environmental factors, allergic rhinitis is driven by the body’s heightened immune response to harmless substances. 

If you have VA allergic rhinitis, you may qualify for disability benefits if you can prove a service connection or link it to another service-connected condition. 

Common Causes of Allergic Rhinitis in Veterans

Many veterans develop allergic rhinitis due to in-service exposure to irritants such as: 

• Burn pits and pit exposure in the Southwest Asia theater 

• Airborne hazards, including dust, chemicals, and pollution 

• Pet hair and pet dander in military living environments 

• Dust mites and mold in poorly ventilated barracks 

• Chemical irritants from weapons or training exercises 

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

According to the Mayo Clinic, allergic rhinitis symptoms and signs include: 

• Runny nose and nasal congestion 

• Sinus pressure 

• Watery, red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) 

• Sneezing 

• Cough 

• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat 

• Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners) 

• Postnasal drip 

• Fatigue 

Allergic Rhinitis vs Chronic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinitis are both conditions that affect the nasal passages but have different causes and VA rating criteria.  

Allergic rhinitis is triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander and is often seasonal or environmental.  

Chronic rhinitis, on the other hand, is a persistent inflammation of the nasal passages that can result from infections, irritants, or underlying medical conditions. However, you may be eligible for a chronic rhinitis VA rating if you can prove your military service caused your condition. 

Rhinitis VA Ratings: Is Rhinitis a VA Disability?

Yes, rhinitis is a VA disability! The VA rates rhinitis under § 4.97 Schedule of ratings—respiratory system with ratings ranging from 10% to 100%, depending on the severity of nasal obstruction, presence of polyps, or specific type of rhinitis, such as granulomatous rhinitis. 

Your rating will fall under one of the following diagnostic codes (DC): 

• DC 6522, Allergic or Vasomotor Rhinitis 

• DC 6523, Bacterial Rhinitis  

• DC 6524, Granulomatous Rhinitis 

VA Rating Criteria

The rhinitis VA disability rating depends on the degree of nasal obstruction, presence of polyps, and specific type of rhinitis, with higher ratings assigned for more severe obstruction or conditions like granulomatous rhinitis when linked to your military service. 

DC 6522, Allergic or Vasomotor Rhinitis 

• 30% VA Rating: With polyps 

• 10% VA Rating: Without polyps, but with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side 

DC 6523, Bacterial Rhinitis

• 50% VA Rating: Rhinoscleroma 

• 10% VA Rating: With permanent hypertrophy of turbinates and with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side 

DC 6524, Granulomatous Rhinitis

• 100% VA Rating: Wegener’s granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma 

• 20% VA Rating: Other types of granulomatous infection 

How Do I Get a Rhinitis VA Rating?

There are three primary ways you can get a VA disability rating for rhinitis: 

#1: Direct Service Connection: This means an in-service event, injury, or disease related to your military service caused you to develop rhinitis. 

#2: Secondary Service Connection: You developed rhinitis due to a primary service-connected condition. 

#3: Presumptive Service Connection: If you served in the Gulf War region during the presumptive period, the VA assumes your chronic rhinitis is related to burn pits. 

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How to Prove Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis

While your Allergic rhinitis rating depends on the presence of nasal polyps and the degree of nasal obstruction, you must also prove service connection for your condition. 

To secure a service connection for allergic rhinitis, you must provide: 

1. Medical link: A current diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in private medical records or VA treatment history. 

2. In-service exposure: Proof of burn pit exposure, airborne hazards, or military environmental conditions. 

3. Nexus statement: A medical link between your allergic rhinitis and active-duty service. 

VA Burn Pit Presumptive: Allergic Rhinitis

The PACT Act expansion allows more veterans exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards to qualify for presumptive service connection, making it easier to receive a chronic rhinitis VA rating. 

The presumptive period for particulate matter exposure includes service in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen on or after September 11, 2001, or in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates on or after August 2, 1990. The airspace above any of these locations is also included. 

If the VA assumes your chronic allergic rhinitis is connected to service, you don’t need to prove direct causation, just a current diagnosis. 

Note: The VA considers rhinitis presumptive only if it is chronic; seasonal or acute allergic rhinitis is not covered. 

See More: VA Presumptive List 

Filing a VA Disability Claim for Allergic Rhinitis

You can file a VA claim online, by mail, via fax, or in person at a VA regional office. If you choose a method other than online, you’ll need to download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ.  

The VA claims process includes: 

1. Current Medical diagnosis: Get an official allergic rhinitis diagnosis from a medical provider. 

2. Service records: Document any service-related exposures (e.g., burn pits). 

3. C&P exam: The VA may require a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to assess the severity of your condition. 

Providing a strong medical link between your allergic rhinitis and military service may improve your chances of approval. 

VA Secondary Conditions to Allergic Rhinitis

If you suffer from conditions secondary to allergic rhinitis, you may be eligible for additional VA disability benefits. 

Veterans with allergic rhinitis may experience VA secondary conditions, including: 

• Sleep apnea: Chronic nasal congestion from allergic rhinitis can obstruct airflow, increasing the risk of sleep apnea. 

• Migraines: Sinus pressure and inflammation from allergic rhinitis can trigger or worsen migraine headaches. 

• Mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression): Persistent symptoms like congestion and poor sleep can contribute to anxiety and depression. 

• Chronic sinusitis: Ongoing nasal inflammation can lead to repeated sinus infections and chronic sinusitis. 

• Deviated septum: Chronic nasal congestion and inflammation can worsen or contribute to a deviated septum. 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Postnasal drip and throat irritation from allergic rhinitis can trigger acid reflux and GERD. 

• Allergic asthma: Inflammation from allergic rhinitis can extend to the airways, leading to or worsening asthma symptoms. 

If you develop any of these conditions due to allergic rhinitis, you may qualify for a secondary service connection and increase your monthly compensation. 

See More: VA Secondary Conditions to Allergic Rhinitis 

Denied Allergic Rhinitis VA Rating?

If the VA denied your allergic rhinitis VA rating, don’t give up. You still have options!  

Your VA appeal options are: 

• Higher-Level Review: Request a senior VA reviewer to reassess your case. 

• Supplemental Claim: Submit new and relevant evidence. 

• Board Appeal: Take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals for a formal review. 

Many claims are denied due to a lack of medical evidence, an unclear service connection, or missing documentation. 

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