★ Dental / Multi-System
TMJ Dysfunction & Bruxism VA Rating
38 CFR § 4.150, Diagnostic Code 9905
Overview
TMJ rating uses a combination of inter-incisal range and lateral excursion measurements.
Bruxism is commonly secondary to PTSD/anxiety and accelerates TMJ damage.
Dental conditions are limited in scope — TMJ is one of the few that warrants compensation.
In Depth
Temporomandibular disorders are evaluated under DC 9905 in 38 CFR § 4.150. VA revised the dental and oral conditions schedule effective February 17, 2021, restructuring DC 9905 around measured range of motion — maximum unassisted vertical opening in millimeters — and around lateral excursion, with the criteria now also accounting for whether dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods are required.
Under the amended code, evaluations are based on the interincisal range in millimeters, with a note addressing how to evaluate when both vertical opening limitation and lateral excursion limitation are present. The regulation's text and notes control the specific thresholds.
Bruxism itself is not separately listed; where it is claimed, the resulting disability — such as temporomandibular dysfunction under DC 9905 or tooth loss under DC 9913 — is what carries the evaluation. Tooth loss under DC 9913 is compensable only where it results from loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible without loss of continuity and where the loss is not replaceable by prosthesis, as the code provides.
TMJ disorders are frequently claimed as secondary to service-connected conditions under 38 CFR § 3.310, including as a consequence of documented bruxism associated with a service-connected mental health condition. Whether that relationship exists is a medical question decided on the evidence.
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct: in-service jaw injury or onset.
- Secondary: very common as secondary to PTSD-related bruxism.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.150, Diagnostic Code 9905
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Inter-incisal range 31 to 40 mm, OR lateral excursion 0 to 4 mm (10% only). |
| 20% | Inter-incisal range 21 to 30 mm. |
| 30% | Inter-incisal range 11 to 20 mm. |
| 40% | Inter-incisal range 0 to 10 mm. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Dental/oral surgery records.
- Inter-incisal measurements at C&P.
- PTSD nexus opinion if claiming secondary to bruxism.
Evidence Templates
Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.
Dental examination with millimeter measurements
Documentation of maximum unassisted vertical opening and lateral excursion, as the amended DC 9905 requires.
Dental imaging (panoramic X-ray, CBCT, or MRI)
Imaging identifying joint pathology, disc displacement, or degenerative change.
Records of prescribed appliances or dietary restriction
Night guard prescriptions or documented restriction to mechanically altered foods.
Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims
Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.
- ★Measured maximum unassisted vertical opening and lateral excursion in millimeters are the figures the amended DC 9905 uses.
- ★Documentation of any prescribed dietary modification to mechanically altered foods addresses a criterion in the amended code.
- ★Dental or oral surgery records including imaging establish the underlying pathology.
- ★For a secondary theory, records establishing the service-connected condition and a clinician's documented assessment are what § 3.310 analysis is applied to.
Common pitfalls VA sees
- Relying on the pre-2021 version of DC 9905 when the claim is decided under the amended criteria.
- Assuming all tooth loss is compensable, when DC 9913 limits compensable loss to specified circumstances.
- Not obtaining millimeter measurements, when the code is expressed in millimeters.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to TMJ Dysfunction & Bruxism:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a TMJ Dysfunction & Bruxism claim or denial?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. Contingent fees apply only to awarded past-due benefits on appeals — never on initial claims.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.