What is the VA rating for Dental and Oral Conditions?

Across DC 9902, 9911, 9913, 9914, and 9915, whether a lost structure (mandible, hard palate, teeth, or maxilla) can be restored by a suitable prosthesis directly changes the assigned percentage within that same code's own ladder -- confirmed as a real rating mechanic, not a simple compensable-only/percentage-only split.

• For example, DC 9914 (maxilla loss of more than half) is 100 percent if not replaceable by prosthesis, but only 50 percent for the identical anatomical loss if it is replaceable.
• This axis is directly corroborated by the Oral and Dental DBQ's own examination item, which asks this exact question.
• Being replaceable by prosthesis does not mean the veteran has no functional impact -- it is a regulatory distinction within the rating schedule, not a statement about how the veteran actually functions day to day.

Records to review: Dental and Oral Conditions DBQ; Surgical or prosthodontic records documenting whether restoration is possible.

DC 9900 (osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis, or osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla or mandible) has no rating criteria of its own -- its entire text directs evaluation as chronic osteomyelitis under DC 5000 (38 CFR 4.71a), a musculoskeletal code RatingScope does not currently build.

• This is the range's only osteoradionecrosis code, not a low-traffic edge case -- a documented diagnosis under DC 9900 will always require review under a separate, currently unbuilt code.
• RatingScope discloses this cross-reference rather than guessing at DC 5000's own criteria or silently returning an unrelated result.

Records to review: Dental and Oral Conditions DBQ; Imaging records confirming osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis, or osteoradionecrosis.

DC 9917 (benign neoplasm, hard and soft tissue) directs evaluation as "loss of supporting structures (bone or teeth) and/or functional impairment due to scarring," but names no specific destination diagnostic code -- unlike a standard predominant-disability deferral with a fixed, closed list.

• This open-endedness is in genuine tension with this section's own Note (2), which separately lists six impairments requiring their own evaluation (vocal articulation, smell, taste, neurological impairment, respiratory dysfunction, and other impairments) -- scarring is not among those six. See the Loss of Smell and Taste (Anosmia and Ageusia) guide for how smell and taste impairments are rated under DC 6275/6276.
• RatingScope discloses this as an unresolved dispatch for separate review, rather than guessing which of this hub's other codes, or the Scars hub, applies.
• DC 9918 (malignant neoplasm), by contrast, is a flat 100 percent with no such ambiguity -- the open-ended dispatch is unique to the benign code.

Records to review: Dental and Oral Conditions DBQ; Pathology records confirming the neoplasm and any associated bone, tooth, or scarring findings.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is rated on two separate axes -- interincisal range (maximum unassisted vertical jaw opening, with dietary-restriction sub-tiers) and lateral excursion range of motion (0-4mm = 10 percent) -- confirmed via two independent primary sources during this build's fresh verbatim fetch.

• DC 9905's own Note (1) states that ratings for limited interincisal movement and limited lateral excursion "shall not be combined." The regulation does not say which axis controls when both are documented.
• RatingScope evaluates whichever axis produces the higher tier -- disclosed here as an interpretive choice, consistent with how this repository handles other unresolved-tiebreaker situations, not as a stated regulatory rule.
• The normal maximum jaw opening range (35 to 50mm, per Note 2) sits entirely above the table's highest band (30-34mm) -- confirmed via fresh verbatim fetch that DC 9905 has no 0 percent row and no instruction for this normal range at all, a genuine textual gap disclosed here, not silently resolved.

Records to review: Dental and Oral Conditions DBQ; Examination records documenting both interincisal range and lateral excursion.

The distinction between a compensable dental disability (rated here, under 38 CFR 4.150) and eligibility for VA dental TREATMENT (governed entirely by 38 CFR 3.381 and 38 CFR 17.161, both outside Part 4's rating schedule) is confirmed to live entirely outside this section -- RatingScope does not model dental treatment eligibility anywhere in this hub.

• Common dental conditions such as replaceable missing teeth, carious (decayed) teeth, or periodontal disease are not compensable disabilities under DC 9900-9918 at all -- a hub built from 38 CFR 4.150 alone will correctly return a $0 or no-qualifying-criterion result for these findings.
• Those same conditions may still qualify the veteran for VA dental TREATMENT under the separate Part 3/Part 17 authority -- a $0 compensation result here says nothing about treatment eligibility.
• RatingScope does not determine, estimate, or infer treatment eligibility under §3.381 or §17.161 -- veterans with dental conditions not rated here should still inquire separately about VA dental treatment eligibility.

Records to review: VA dental treatment eligibility determinations are made under a separate authority this hub does not model.