Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)
The VA rates Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) under Diagnostic Code 9905 across 5 severity levels, from 10% to 50%. 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: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Rating schedule — DC 9905 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 10%
- Maximum rating
- 50%
- Rating tiers
- 5
- CFR section
- § 4.150
- Body system
- Dental & Oral Conditions
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods Note: Normal inter-incisal opening is 40–50 mm. Rate by limitation of motion, pain, and functional impact on mastication. |
| 20% | Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods |
| 30% | Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods |
| 40% | Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods |
| 50% | With dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods |
“Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods”
What other dental & oral conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) 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.
- 9900Maxilla or mandible, chronic osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis or osteoradionecrosis ofRated up to 0%
- 9901Mandible, loss of, complete, between anglesRated up to 100%
- 9902Mandible, loss of, including ramus, unilaterally or bilaterallyRated up to 70%
- 9903Mandible, nonunion of, confirmed by diagnostic imaging studiesRated up to 30%
- 9904Mandible, malunion ofRated up to 20%
- 9908Condyloid process, loss of, one or both sidesRated up to 30%
- 9909Coronoid process, loss ofRated up to 20%
- 9911Hard palate, loss ofRated up to 30%
- 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%
What to do with a Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) rating
The tools, regulations and guides that pick up where the criteria above leave off.
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- The VA C&P Exam Explained: Before, During, and AfterA VA C&P exam helps VA decide service connection and your rating. Here is what happens before, during, and after, plus how to request your exam report.
- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
Common Questions About Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
The VA rates Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) under Diagnostic Code 9905 at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods. The maximum 50% rating requires: With dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
The VA rates Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9905, published in 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 10% and a 50% rating for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
A 10% rating requires: Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods. A 50% rating requires: With dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) qualify for TDIU?
Possibly. Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) maxes at 50%, which doesn't meet the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% alone. However, if combined with other service-connected disabilities totaling 70%+ (with one at 40%+), TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) may apply. Extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is also available if the condition alone prevents work regardless of rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
The key evidence for Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint) 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 Temporomandibular disorder (jaw joint)?
The C&P examiner uses a Dental & Oral Conditions DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 9905 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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