Body system: Dental and Oral ConditionsRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.150
This covers the loss of part or all of your jawbone (mandible), including the back portion called the ramus, on one or both sides. The VA rates this condition from 10% to 70% based on how much of the jaw is lost and whether a prosthetic device can effectively replace the missing bone structure. Higher ratings go to cases where prosthetic replacement isn't possible, recognizing the greater impact on eating, speaking, and facial function.
Rating levels
- 70% — You qualify for this rating if you've lost half or more of your jawbone, including the part that connects to your skull at the jaw joint (temporomandibular articulation), and this loss cannot be fixed with an artificial replacement (prosthesis). This applies whether the loss affects one side of your jaw (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally).
- 50% — You qualify for this rating if you've lost half or more of your lower jaw bone, including the part that connects to your skull at the jaw joint (temporomandibular articulation). The missing portion must be severe enough that it can be replaced with an artificial device (prosthesis), whether the loss affects one side or both sides of your jaw.
- 40% — You have lost at least half of your jawbone (mandible) on one or both sides, but the loss doesn't affect the jaw joint where your jaw connects to your skull (temporomandibular articulation). The missing portion of your jawbone cannot be replaced with an artificial device or prosthesis to restore function.
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if you've lost half or more of your jawbone on one or both sides, as long as the loss doesn't affect the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint - where your jaw connects to your skull near your ear). The missing portion of your jawbone must be able to be replaced with an artificial device (prosthesis) to restore function and appearance.
- 70% — You qualify for this rating if you've lost less than half of your jaw bone, including the area where your jaw connects to your skull (temporomandibular articulation), and the missing part cannot be fixed with an artificial replacement (prosthesis). This means you have significant jaw bone loss that affects how your jaw moves and functions, but it's not quite half of the entire jaw structure.
- 50% — You've lost less than half of your jawbone, including the joint where your jaw connects to your skull (temporomandibular articulation). The missing bone can be replaced with an artificial part (prosthesis) to help restore function and appearance.
- 20% — You've lost part of your jawbone, but less than half of it, and the loss doesn't affect your jaw joint (temporomandibular articulation is where your jaw connects to your skull). The missing bone cannot be replaced with an artificial device or implant, and the damage is significant enough that it affects how your jaw functions.
- 10% — You've lost a portion of your jaw bone (mandible), but it's less than half and doesn't affect the jaw joint where your jaw connects to your skull (temporomandibular articulation). The missing part can be replaced with an artificial device (prosthesis) to restore function and appearance.