Allergic Rhinitis

DC 6522Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6522

Ongoing nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing caused by allergies. The VA rates allergic rhinitis based on whether you have nasal polyps and the degree of nasal obstruction.

Rating Levels

You have nasal polyps. This is the maximum rating for allergic rhinitis.

What the VA looks for

Nasal polyps confirmed on examination or imaging
CT scan showing polyps
Nasal endoscopy documenting polyps
History of polypectomy (surgical removal)

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a CT scan or nasal endoscopy — the presence or absence of polyps is the key factor, and a basic physical exam may miss them.
⚠Not connecting rhinitis to in-service environmental exposures such as burn pits, dust, sand, or chemical irritants.
⚠Forgetting to file for chronic sinusitis separately — rhinitis and sinusitis are rated under different diagnostic codes and can be combined if symptoms are distinct.
⚠Not documenting the degree of nasal obstruction — vague complaints of congestion are not enough. An examiner needs to measure or estimate the percentage of obstruction.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Sinusitis, Rhinitis, and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx, and Pharynx

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…