The Board denied service connection for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and four front teeth and bridge right lower for compensation purposes due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any TMJ or dental disability had onset in or is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), Four front teeth, Bridge right lower
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19177059
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.
- Denied
The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2000 rating decision that granted a 10 percent initial rating for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), 20 percent for right eye cataract, and 10 percent for right eye corneal scar.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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