The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his TMJ syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show inter-incisal range of motion less than or equal to 10 mm, which is required for a rating in excess of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's inter-incisal range of motion was between 11 and 20 mm, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the former or revised rating criteria for TMJ syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19153941
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,861 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19153941.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for TMJ was reopened and granted, with the condition having begun during service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was also granted as secondary to her service-connected rhinitis and sinusitis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection as they are related to her active duty service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica was granted as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, a memory disorder secondary to TBI, and a psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability with respect to these conditions and that they are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Rockingham Memorial Hospital on July 9, 2009 is granted as the treatment was for a condition that would have been considered an emergency by a prudent layperson.
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