VA Disability Rating for Chronic Rhinitis / Sinusitis
Rhinitis rated 10–30%; sinusitis rated 0–50%. PACT Act presumptive for post-9/11 burn pit vets.
Chronic rhinitis (DC 6522) and chronic sinusitis (DC 6513) are rated separately. Rhinitis caps at 30% (with polyps). Sinusitis goes to 50% with frequent incapacitating episodes. Both are presumptive under the PACT Act for post-9/11 burn pit vets.
Presumptive framework applies
PACT Act presumptive for post-9/11 burn pit / airborne hazard exposure.
Check my presumptive eligibility →Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Rhinitis without polyps but with 50%+ obstruction bilaterally or complete obstruction unilaterally. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Rhinitis WITH nasal polyps. |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | Sinusitis with frequent incapacitating episodes (>6 non-incapacitating episodes/year characterized by headaches, pain, purulent discharge). |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
- →At 50%: $1,132.90/mo · $13,595/year, tax-free
How to get rated for chronic rhinitis / sinusitis
- CT scan or endoscopy documenting chronic inflammation.
- Document frequency of acute exacerbations and antibiotic courses.
- For post-9/11 vets: file under PACT Act presumptive.
Common secondary conditions
- +Asthma
- +Sleep apnea
- +Headaches
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- PACT presumptive — cite the framework, not individual exposures.
Frequently asked
Can I claim both rhinitis and sinusitis?
Yes — they are separate diagnostic codes rated independently. The VA will evaluate each.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.