The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.
The deciding factor: The July 2015 VA examination opinion was more probative as it considered the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and the onset of those symptoms, which were consistent with service treatment records noting an earache and a left ear furuncle in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104125
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), but denied earlier effective dates and a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for TMJ, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for TMJ prior to October 15, 2019 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. From October 15, 2019, her rating of 40 percent is also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's TMJ and TBI diagnoses, as well as their relationship to service. A new examination is required for both conditions.
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.