The veteran's TMJ syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as he is able to open his mouth in excess of 40mm and there is no evidence of TMJ lateral excursion.
The deciding factor: The examination showed that the veteran could open his mouth in excess of 40mm and had no evidence of TMJ lateral excursion, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2008
- Citation
- 0834201
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0834201.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 50% rating for headaches, SMC at the housebound rate, and TDIU. The earliest factually ascertainable date for the assignment of a 50% rating for headaches is May 13, 2015.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TMJ syndrome, and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence of exposure to combat-compatible circumstances during his Southeast Asia service. The chronic back, hip, and TMJ disorders are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other service-connected condition.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.