Not sure how to proceed with a claim regarding non allergic rhinitis

You should file a claim for an increased rating for your service-connected non-allergic rhinitis, supplemented by a new claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a secondary condition, as your severe OSA may be aggravated by your rhinitis. Your 0% rating for rhinitis (likely under Diagnostic Code 6522, 38 CFR § 4.97) indicates service connection but minimal symptoms; to increase it, you must submit evidence of more severe symptoms like polyps (30%) or complete nasal obstruction (10%). Critically, your burn pit exposure makes your rhinitis presumptively service-connected under the PACT Act (38 U.S.C. § 1119), strengthening the foundation. For the secondary OSA claim, you must establish a medical nexus linking the conditions; the sleep study diagnosing "severe obstructive sleep apnea" is crucial evidence. Under *DeLuca v. Brown*, you can argue the rhinitis aggravates your OSA, impacting sleep severity. Your actionable next steps are: 1) File a VA Form 21-526EZ for an increased rhinitis rating, citing the PACT Act presumption, and 2) File a separate claim for OSA secondary to rhinitis (or as a primary condition due to burn pit exposure), including your private sleep study results and a nexus letter from a physician connecting the conditions per 38 CFR § 3.310(b). Submit both claims concurrently to ensure effective dates are protected.

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA claims processes and is not intended as legal or medical advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult an accredited VA attorney or claims agent.*