The Veteran's claim for service connection for TMJ is denied, and his rating for Mechanical Back Pain Syndrome with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis remains at 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of TMJ or establish that the Veteran's back disability is due to service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint Disease (TMJ), Mechanical Back Pain Syndrome with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 31, 2024
- Citation
- A24042354
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 A24042354.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was reopened and granted, with the Board finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for TMJ was dismissed as the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen his claim.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD, TMJ, and sleep disorder cannot be established.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
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