Allergic & Vasomotor Rhinitis
Diagnostic Code 6522 • 38 CFR § 4.97
This schedule is narrow: with polyps (and the required obstruction pattern) you can reach 10%; without polyps, service connection may still exist at a noncompensable evaluation.
Diagnostic Code
6522
Rhinitis Ratings & 2026 Pay (veteran alone)
Under DC 6522, compensable evaluation typically requires nasal obstruction with polyps for the 10% evaluation—verify exact regulatory language on your decision and in 38 CFR § 4.97.
With obstruction of nasal passages and with polyps (per schedule)
$180.42/mo
Without polyps, or not meeting 10% criteria
$0
Note: A 10% schedular rating is modest, but rhinitis often supports secondary claims (sinusitis, asthma, sleep disturbance) when medically linked.
Complete regulatory criteria, CFR citations, and official rating notes
Three Compensation Scenarios
Rhinitis at 10% (6522)
Polyps + obstructive pattern documented by ENT; meets 10% criteria.
$180.42/mo
2026 base • no dependents
Rhinitis (10%) + sinusitis (30%)
Combined (then rounded)
40%
Monthly total
$795.84/mo
10% + 30% combines to 37% before rounding to the nearest 10% (40%).
Rhinitis + OSA + PTSD
Typical combined
90%
Monthly total
$2,362.30/mo
Evidence Requirements
ENT endoscopy / nasal exam
Document polyps, turbinate hypertrophy, and obstruction—not only allergy symptoms.
Allergy testing (supporting)
Skin prick or RAST can support allergic rhinitis diagnosis alongside clinical exam.
Treatment history
Intranasal steroids, antihistamines, immunotherapy, polypectomy notes.
Lay statements
Congestion cycles, smell loss, sleep disruption, missed work from severe flares.
Nexus for service connection
In-service allergies, deployment environmental exposure, or secondary connection to other SC conditions.
Secondary Conditions
🤧 Sinusitis
STRONGDC 6510+ • Nasal inflammation extends to sinuses
🫁 Asthma
STRONGDC 6602 • Allergic airway disease overlap
😴 OSA aggravation
MODERATEDC 6847 • Nasal obstruction worsens sleep breathing
🤕 Migraines
MODERATEDC 8100 • Chronic congestion and sleep loss
🧠 Sleep / mood
MODERATEDC 9434 • Fatigue from poor sleep
👂 Eustachian issues
MODERATEDC Various • Allergic inflammation affects middle ear
Claim Timeline
ENT evaluation
Endoscopy to document polyps/obstruction
Gather treatment
Sprays, antihistamines, surgery notes
Lay statements
Sleep, work impact, seasonal pattern
File claim
6522 + possible secondaries
Follow-up
If 0% but symptomatic, track for increase and secondaries
What Gets You Higher Ratings
0% → 10%
Objective evidence of nasal obstruction with polyps per the DC 6522 criteria—ENT documentation is usually the anchor.
Stack with sinusitis / asthma
Combined respiratory claims often move the needle more than rhinitis alone—file each condition separately when supported.
Prove sleep impact
If obstruction contributes to sleep apnea, a separate OSA claim may be appropriate with sleep study + nexus.
Common Mistakes
Only allergy symptoms
Polyps/obstruction documentation is what typically separates 0% vs 10%.
Self-diagnosis
Use ENT exam and imaging/endoscopy language that matches the schedule.
Ignoring secondaries
Sinusitis and asthma may carry higher schedular value—claim when linked.
No sleep study
If you snore and choke, evaluate OSA as a separate claim.
FAQs
▸ Is rhinitis the same as sinusitis?
No—rhinitis is nasal inflammation; sinusitis involves the paranasal sinuses. You can have both, and they are rated under different DCs when criteria are met.
▸ Why was I granted 0%?
Service connection can be established even when the schedular evaluation is noncompensable—often because polyps/obstruction criteria weren’t met in the evidence reviewed.
▸ Can rhinitis aggravate sleep apnea?
Many veterans pursue OSA secondary to nasal obstruction when a clinician links the conditions—requires medical rationale and usually a sleep study.
DC Reference & Tools
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.
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