The Veteran's TMJ disability was initially rated at 0 percent from September 1, 2005 to August 27, 2008 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher evaluation is warranted for both periods.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of pain on awakening, need to adjust/manipulate jaw to fully open, and muscle spasm have remained consistent throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- July 30, 2009
- Citation
- 0928430
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 0928430.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's TMJ symptoms more nearly approximated an interincisal range of 21 to 29 mm without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods throughout the entire appeal period, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety, as it was fully granted. The claim for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) secondary to tension headaches is remanded due to an inadequate examination.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the condition. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be consistent with a 20 percent disability rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 1, 2019.
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