The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected temporomandibular joint syndrome, compromise of the tenth cranial nerve with slurred speech and bilateral inner ear Eustachian tube dysfunction warrants a 30 percent evaluation since December 16, 2002. The current range of motion is from 15 to 17 millimeters without any discomfort.
The deciding factor: The veteran's inter-incisal range of motion was found to be within the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9905 (limited motion of the temporomandibular articulation).
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, Compromise of Tenth Cranial Nerve (resulting in slurred speech), Bilateral Inner Ear Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2008
- Citation
- 0834378
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0834378.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from March 6, 2015, to June 20, 2016.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a higher disability rating for TMJ syndrome, finding that the Veteran's condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to evidence of worsening.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's disability rating for temporomandibular joint syndrome, myofascial pain with arthritis was denied as the evidence did not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent prior to September 10, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter.
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