What are sinusitis and rhinitis, and how can veterans get VA disability benefits for them?

Respiratory conditions are common among veterans, often impacting daily life. Many veterans go undiagnosed, struggling with symptoms without getting the VA disability benefits that they deserve. Sinusitis and rhinitis are two common upper respiratory conditions that may qualify for service-connection as long as veterans have the right diagnosis and documentation.

Before you can get VA disability benefits, it's important to understand the difference between these two conditions and how the VA rates them.

Here's what veterans should know about sinusitis, rhinitis, and getting VA disability benefits for them:

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis occurs when the spaces between the nose and the head (what we call sinuses) become inflamed and swollen. You've probably felt this before when ill – your nose gets stuffed up, it might be harder to breathe, and the areas around your eyes might feel a bit tender.

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Sinus congestion

• Tenderness and swelling around the eyes

• Reduced sense of smell and/or taste

It's also possible to experience a sore throat, ear pain, cough, fatigue, and headache. Complications, such as other infections or sinus growths called polyps, can occur when sinusitis is chronic.

What is rhinitis?

Rhinitis is similar to sinusitis, but not quite the same. This nonallergic condition has no clear cause, with similar symptoms to hay fever despite not being caused by allergens. Repeated sneezing and a chronic runny nose are the most common symptoms of rhinitis.

The full list of rhinitis symptoms includes:

• Runny nose

• Sneezing frequently

• Mucus in the throat

• Coughing

So, whereas sinusitis affects the sinuses, rhinitis affects the inner nasal lining and cavity of the nose.

Rhinitis can be triggered by different causes – for veterans, the harsh environments of military service and potential toxic exposures can be a big factor. It can also be caused by other long-term health conditions, weather changes, and certain medications.

Why are veterans at risk for developing sinusitis and rhinitis?

Veterans are at a higher risk for developing sinusitis and rhinitis due to a few different factors:

• Harsh climate conditions during military service (read about cold injuries here)

• Strong physical demands of the military that wear on the body

• Toxic exposures during military service

• Injuries that can occur during military service

• Other service-connected conditions that can cause respiratory complications

For these reasons, many veterans struggle with chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, and other common service-connected respiratory conditions.

How to start a claim for sinusitis, rhinitis, or another service-connected condition

The VA often combines sinusitis and rhinitis into rhinosinusitis, because several of the symptoms overlap (this avoids violating the pyramiding principle). It can be hard to differentiate symptoms between these two, so the situation is really dependent on the veteran's specific evidence.

So, either way – you're going to need compelling medical evidence. It's important to include two different types of evidence to support your claim: competent evidence and lay evidence.

Here are a few examples of competent evidence:

• Treatment visits

• Physical therapy visits

• Chiropractic care

• Receipts for materials needed

And a few examples of lay evidence:

• Statements from friends, family, and fellow veterans you know

• Personal statements

• Buddy letters

By including several of the above types of evidence, the VA can clearly see that your condition is directly related to military service.

Not sure where to start?

We can help. At MRPY, we work one-on-one with veterans to draft expertly crafted medical documentation (Nexus Letters, DBQs, chart reviews and more). This helps you get a better rating from the VA without all the confusion or headaches. With your medical story and our professional support, we'll help you maximize your claim results.

If you're ready to get started, the first step is to sign up for a Medical Evidence Assessment.

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