The Board denied service connection for TMJ as the current disorder was not shown to be causally related to in-service injuries.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show a nexus between the in-service injury and the current TMJ disorder, with the examiner indicating that overuse and bruxism were more likely causes of the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- 26002262
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 26002262.
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 reduction in the rating for service-connected TMJ from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper, and the 30 percent rating is restored.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her claim for an earlier effective date for the assigned 10 percent rating for service-connected TMJ, and this appeal is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's TMJ may be related to his in-service bicycle accident, but a VA examination is needed to determine if this is the case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain SSA records and failed attempts at contacting the Veteran for a PTSD examination.
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