Dental/OralDC 9905

TMJ / Temporomandibular Disorder

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD/TMJ) is rated under DC 9905 based on how far you can open your mouth or move your jaw side to side. The VA assigns a single rating: you cannot receive separate ratings for left and right jaw joints, and you cannot combine opening limitation with lateral excursion. The higher measurement is used. Ratings increase when limited opening requires dietary modifications such as soft foods, pureed foods, or full liquids. If texture-modified diets are involved, they must be recorded or verified by a physician. Normal jaw opening is approximately 40 mm. Examiners must consider flare-ups when measuring range of motion and use the most impaired measurements noted.

VA Rating Levels

10%

Painful jaw motion, or opening limited to 30-34 mm, or lateral excursion limited to 4 mm or less.

20%

Opening limited to 30-34 mm and requires soft or semi-solid foods, or opening limited to 21-29 mm.

30%

Opening limited to 30-34 mm and requires full liquid or pureed foods, or 21-29 mm with soft/semi-solid foods, or 11-20 mm.

40%

Opening limited to 21-29 mm and requires full liquid or pureed foods, or 11-20 mm with mechanically altered foods, or opening no more than 10 mm.

50%

Opening no more than 10 mm and requires mechanically altered foods (blended, chopped, ground, or mashed).

Exam Tips & Key Evidence

→TMJ is frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD because stress-related clenching and grinding damages the jaw joint over time.
→The C&P examiner will measure your jaw opening in millimeters. A smaller opening results in a higher rating, so attend the exam on a representative day.
→You only get one TMJ rating total, not separate ratings for each side. The VA treats bilateral TMJ as a single condition.
→Document jaw clicking, locking episodes, pain during eating, and any headaches tied to your jaw symptoms.
→If your diet has been modified because of jaw limitations, have your doctor document the type of diet modification in your medical records.
→Do not file a standalone claim for bruxism (teeth grinding). The VA considers it a symptom, not a ratable disability. Instead, claim TMJ/jaw pain, potentially as secondary to PTSD or another condition.

Commonly Related Conditions

PTSDMigrainesTBILoss of Teeth

38 CFR Reference

38 CFR 4.150, DC 9905