The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) prior to May 27, 2014 and since that date was denied. The Board found no evidence of inter-incisal distance or lateral excursion less than the required thresholds for a higher rating under DC 9905.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected TMJ did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on inter-incisal distance and lateral excursion as per Diagnostic Code (DC) 9905, which requires inter-incisal range of at least 21 to 30 millimeters or lateral excursion of at least 4 millimeters.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1529846
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 1529846.
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.
- 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.
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.