The Veteran's service-connected maxilla bone loss is manifested by bone loss of less than 25 percent as a result of traumatic injury, which does not impose limitation of masticatory function or speech impairment, or require replacement of the missing bone tissue with a prosthesis. Therefore, an initial compensable evaluation for maxilla bone loss has not been met.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence did not show that the Veteran's maxilla bone loss required a prosthetic to compensate for the condition, and his symptoms were largely asymptomatic, being that it caused him no impediment in his speaking or chewing ability. The maxilla bone loss was objectively assessed as less than 25 percent of the maxilla.
- Claimed conditions
- maxilla bone loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2011
- Citation
- 1134955
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 1134955.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for maxilla bone loss with including tooth #8, tooth #9 loss is denied. The TMJ disorder claim is remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's maxilla bone loss warrants a 20 percent rating throughout the initial rating period, which satisfies his appeal in full.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for an additional VA dental examination to determine whether his maxilla bone loss is replaceable by a prosthesis. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.
- 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.
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