Learn

VA Rating for Sinusitis and Rhinitis: How It Works

By the VetClaimsGuide Editorial Team · Educational guide · Updated July 2026

Chronic sinusitis and rhinitis are common respiratory claims, especially for veterans with burn pit or airborne hazard exposure, and each has its own rating formula. Here is exactly how VA rates both conditions, what evidence you need, and how they connect to other claims.

Before you file, appeal, or request an increase: use the free Claim Readiness Checker to identify possible evidence gaps. It is an educational starting point, not claim filing or representation.

How VA rates sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis (pansinusitis, and ethmoid, frontal, maxillary, or sphenoid sinusitis) is rated under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis at 0, 10, 30, or 50 percent. The formula centers on how many incapacitating episodes you have per year, defined as an episode requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician:

0 percent: sinusitis detected by X-ray only, with no symptoms rising to the levels below.
10 percent: one or two incapacitating episodes a year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment (lasting four to six weeks), or three to six non-incapacitating episodes a year with headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.
30 percent: three or more incapacitating episodes a year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes a year with the same symptoms.
50 percent: following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or near-constant sinusitis with headaches, pain, tenderness, and discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.

How VA rates rhinitis

Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis is rated separately under Diagnostic Code 6522, at 10 or 30 percent, based on nasal obstruction and polyps rather than episodes:

10 percent: no polyps, but greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, or 100 percent obstruction on one side.
30 percent: nasal polyps are present. This is the maximum schedular rating for rhinitis alone.

Because sinusitis and rhinitis are rated under different formulas and different diagnostic codes, they can sometimes be rated separately rather than combined into one, depending on your specific diagnoses. A provider and, ultimately, VA's review determine how your case is coded.

The evidence VA looks for

Both conditions are rated on objective findings, so documentation matters more than a general description of "sinus problems." A strong claim usually includes:

Treatment records showing the frequency of episodes (sinusitis) or the degree of obstruction and presence of polyps (rhinitis), ideally from an ENT or documented exam.
Records of antibiotic courses and their length, which support the incapacitating-episode counts for sinusitis.
For veterans with burn pit or airborne hazard exposure, evidence connecting the exposure to the diagnosis; see VA presumptive conditions and the PACT Act to check whether your condition may qualify for a presumptive path.

You can gauge where either condition might land with the free VA Rating Estimator, and organize the supporting documents with the Condition Evidence Builder.

Get organized: use the free Evidence Builder to organize records, statements, and questions to discuss with an accredited representative or provider. You can email yourself your results so you can come back later and keep preparing.

Sinusitis, rhinitis, and secondary claims

Sinusitis and rhinitis can also be claimed as secondary conditions, for example aggravated by a deviated septum, allergies tied to environmental exposure, or another service-connected respiratory condition. A nexus letter that explains the link makes a secondary path stronger; the Nexus Letter Template gives your doctor the language VA looks for. Learn more about how secondary claims work generally in how VA disability ratings work.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

Vague symptom descriptions. "My sinuses act up" is weaker than a documented count of incapacitating episodes or a documented obstruction percentage.
Missing the antibiotic-length detail. The "four to six week" prolonged-treatment detail specifically supports the sinusitis incapacitating-episode levels.
Assuming rhinitis is rated like sinusitis. They use different diagnostic codes and different criteria (episodes vs. obstruction and polyps).
Not exploring the PACT Act angle for veterans with relevant burn pit or airborne hazard exposure.

Prepare for your sinusitis or rhinitis claim

Estimate a rating with the free VA Rating Estimator, organize your records with the Condition Evidence Builder, and bring your doctor an educational Nexus Letter Template. More tools in the Claim Preparation hub.

Organize it in one place: Premium members use the Condition Evidence Blueprint to organize evidence, notes, and questions and to generate a personal statement draft, then export a preparation packet to bring to a VSO, accredited representative, or provider. Educational preparation only.

Use these tools as an educational starting point before speaking with a VSO, accredited representative, attorney, or medical provider. VetClaimsGuide helps you organize your information, understand possible evidence gaps, and prepare better questions. It does not file claims, represent veterans, or guarantee outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the VA rating for sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is rated 0, 10, 30, or 50 percent under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (Diagnostic Codes 6510 to 6514). The rating depends mainly on how many incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment you have per year, or how many non-incapacitating episodes with headaches, pain, and discharge or crusting.

What counts as an incapacitating episode for sinusitis?
VA defines an incapacitating episode of sinusitis as one requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician. One or two such episodes a year, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment lasting four to six weeks, generally supports a 10 percent rating, and three or more supports 30 percent.

What is the VA rating for rhinitis?
Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis is rated under Diagnostic Code 6522 at 10 or 30 percent. Ten percent applies with greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides, or complete obstruction on one side, and no polyps. Thirty percent applies when nasal polyps are present.

Is this an official VA rating?
No. This is free educational information. Your actual rating depends on VA's review of your evidence. Confirm current criteria and your situation at VA.gov or with an accredited representative.

VetClaimsGuide is an independent educational platform and self-help resource. It is not a law firm, not a VSO, not VA-accredited representation, and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. It does not file or prepare claims for veterans, represent veterans, or provide legal or medical advice, and it does not diagnose conditions or guarantee any rating, payment, or outcome. It helps veterans organize information, understand possible evidence gaps, and prepare questions to discuss with a VSO, accredited representative, attorney, or medical provider. Confirm everything at VA.gov or with an accredited professional.