Loss of hard palate
The VA rates Loss of hard palate under Diagnostic Code 9911 across 4 severity levels, from 0% to 30%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Catalog name: Hard palate, loss of.
Rating schedule — DC 9911 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 30%
- Rating tiers
- 4
- CFR section
- § 4.150
- Body system
- Dental & Oral Conditions
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Loss of hard palate?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Loss of less than half, replaceable by prosthesis |
| 10% | Loss of half or more, replaceable by prosthesis |
| 20% | Loss of less than half, not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 30% | Loss of half or more, not replaceable by prosthesis |
“Loss of less than half, not replaceable by prosthesis”
What other dental & oral conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Loss of hard palate in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 9903Mandible, nonunion of, confirmed by diagnostic imaging studiesRated up to 30%
- 9904Mandible, malunion ofRated up to 20%
- 9905Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)Rated up to 50%
- 9908Condyloid process, loss of, one or both sidesRated up to 30%
- 9909Coronoid process, loss ofRated up to 20%
- 9913Teeth, loss of, due to loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible without loss of continuityRated up to 40%
- 9914Maxilla, loss of more than halfRated up to 100%
- 9915Maxilla, loss of half or lessRated up to 40%
- 9916Maxilla, malunion or nonunion ofRated up to 30%
- 9917Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benignRated up to 0%
Common Questions About Loss of hard palate VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Loss of hard palate?
The VA rates Loss of hard palate under Diagnostic Code 9911 at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Loss of less than half, replaceable by prosthesis. The maximum 30% rating requires: Loss of half or more, not replaceable by prosthesis.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Loss of hard palate?
The VA rates Loss of hard palate under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9911, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.150. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 0% and a 30% rating for Loss of hard palate?
A 0% rating requires: Loss of less than half, replaceable by prosthesis. A 30% rating requires: Loss of half or more, not replaceable by prosthesis. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Loss of hard palate qualify for TDIU?
Loss of hard palate maxes at 30%, well below the single-disability TDIU threshold. However, combined with other service-connected disabilities, TDIU may be achievable under 38 CFR § 4.16. Focus on establishing secondary conditions to increase the combined rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Loss of hard palate?
The key evidence for Loss of hard palate is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Loss of hard palate?
The C&P examiner uses a Dental & Oral Conditions DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 9911 rating criteria. The examiner documents symptom frequency, severity, and functional impact. Bring all treatment records and describe your worst days, not your best — the VA rates on the full clinical picture across time, not a snapshot of one good day.
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