The Veteran's TMJ is rated at 10 percent, effective January 27, 2016. The initial rating for left and right cranial nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia was granted at 10 percent from January 27, 2016 to June 26, 2022, and denied thereafter.,The Veteran's TMJ is rated at 10 percent. The initial rating for left cranial nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia was granted at 10 percent from January 27, 2016 to June 26, 2022, and denied thereafter. The initial rating for right cranial nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia is also rated at 10 percent from June 27, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's TMJ symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or amended versions of Code 9905.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), Left cranial nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia, Right cranial nerve V (trigeminal) neuralgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23015376
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 23015376.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for TMJ and remanded the claims of increased rating for major depressive disorder and service connection for PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's TMJ and Erectile Dysfunction claims are remanded for further development due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for TMJ was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent in March 2016, and then further reduced to 10 percent in November 2022. The appeal challenges the propriety of these reductions, with the Board finding that a reduction is warranted as there has not been sustained improvement in the Veteran's TMJ under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- 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).
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.