The Board finds that the Veteran's TMJ arthritis, TMJ dysfunction, and bone loss are related to his active duty service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are etiologically linked to his jaw fracture during service.
The deciding factor: The August 2010 private opinion from the Veteran's treating dentist provided a nexus between the Veteran's TMJ arthritis and his in-service jaw fracture, which was supported by CT imaging showing degenerative changes to the condyles. The May 2011 VA examination also noted no evidence of TMJ dysfunction during service.
- Claimed conditions
- TMJ arthritis, TMJ dysfunction, bone loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1825219
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 1825219.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as his disability has already been rated at the maximum allowable level.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the pendency of this appeal.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, hypertension, vertigo, and respiratory condition are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date earlier than August 29, 2022, for the award of service connection for TMJ dysfunction.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for TMJ dysfunction and an initial 20 percent rating for right ankle strain, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
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