The Veteran's right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism is granted as service-connected.,Tension headaches are secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected dental disability (right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism).,Ear canal problems have not been diagnosed. Service connection for ear canal problems is denied.,Sinus problems (manifested by allergic rhinitis and deviated septum) are secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected dental disability (right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism).,Tinnitus is not found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided a diagnosis of right temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism. The Veteran reported thumb-sucking during basic training which caused TMD.,The VA examiner opined that the tension headaches are at least as likely as not due to his dental disability.,There is no current diagnosis of ear canal problems (manifested by allergic rhinitis and deviated septum).,The VA examiner provided an opinion stating it was less than 50% likely that the Veteran’s sinus problems were aggravated by his service-connected TMD. The examiner noted there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition.,There is no medical opinion indicating tinnitus is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism.
- Claimed conditions
- right temporomandibular joint disorder with malocclusion, severe anterior open bite, and bruxism, tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21004679
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 21004679.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and GERD. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise between the conflicting opinions regarding causation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional VA opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and tension headaches, including migraines. The opinions should consider the Veteran's participation in a TERA and the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities.
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