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Dental and Oral

Dental conditions tied to service connection.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Diagnostic code 9905

Bruxism does not have its own diagnostic code. It is most commonly rated under code 9905 (TMJ) when it causes TMJ residuals, or as secondary to a service connected mental health condition such as PTSD or anxiety.

Chronic Periodontitis
Diagnostic code 9915

Periodontitis is typically considered non-compensable on its own for VA rating purposes, but it can qualify for VA dental treatment benefits if traceable to a service connected trauma or condition.

Leukoplakia
Diagnostic code 7899-7819

Oral leukoplakia has no diagnostic code of its own. As a benign lesion it is rated by analogy under a built up code such as 7899-7819 (benign skin neoplasms), which has no percentage table: VA rates any residuals, such as painful lesions or interference with eating or speech, under the scar and functional impairment criteria. If a biopsy shows malignant transformation, the rating switches to the 100 percent malignancy pathway.

Loss of Teeth Due to Trauma
Diagnostic code 9913

Loss of teeth due to service connected trauma is rated under diagnostic code 9913 at 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40 percent based on the number of teeth lost and whether the loss prevents adequate restoration.

Loss of the Tongue (Whole or Part)
Diagnostic code 7202

Loss of the whole or part of the tongue is rated under diagnostic code 7202 (2024 criteria): 100 percent when oral nutrition is impossible, 60 percent for permanently impaired swallowing requiring a prescribed modified diet, and 30 percent for permanently impaired swallowing without prescribed dietary modification. Speech residuals are rated separately under the voice codes.

Mandible Loss / Injury
Diagnostic code 9901-9902

Loss of the mandible is rated under diagnostic codes 9901 and 9902. Complete loss between the angles rates 100 percent. Partial loss including the ramus is graded by how much bone is gone, whether the temporomandibular joint is involved, and whether a prosthesis can replace the loss, from 10 to 70 percent. Nonunion and malunion of the mandible are rated separately under diagnostic codes 9903 and 9904.

Maxilla Loss / Injury
Diagnostic code 9914-9915

Loss of the maxilla is rated under diagnostic codes 9914 and 9915 by how much bone is missing and whether a prosthesis can replace it: loss of more than half rates 100 percent when not replaceable and 50 percent when replaceable; loss of 25 to 50 percent rates 40 or 30 percent on the same split; and loss of less than 25 percent rates 20 or 0 percent. Malunion or nonunion of the maxilla is rated separately under diagnostic code 9916.

Mouth and Lip Injuries
Diagnostic code 7200

Soft tissue injuries of the mouth (diagnostic code 7200) are rated as disfigurement and painful scars (diagnostic codes 7800 and 7804) plus impairment of chewing; lip injuries (7201) are rated as disfigurement and scars. The percentages flow through the scar codes rather than fixed tiers here.

Salivary Gland Cancer
Diagnostic code 7343

Salivary gland malignancies are rated at 100 percent while the cancer is active and through treatment, most often under diagnostic code 7343 because the salivary glands have no listed code of their own. Six months after treatment ends, VA examines and rates the residuals, such as facial nerve impairment, dry mouth, or swallowing problems, each under its own criteria. Salivary gland cancer is also on the radiation presumptive list.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
Diagnostic code 9905

TMJ disorder is rated under diagnostic code 9905 at 10, 20, 30, or 40 percent based on limited mouth opening and lateral excursion.

Printed from The Veteran Benefit Desk - https://veteranbenefitdesk.com/conditions/body-system/dental-and-oral. Figures reflect this page as published. Rates change each December; confirm current amounts at veteranbenefitdesk.com before relying on them.
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Dental and Oral - VA Disability Conditions