Claiming Jaw Limited Opening / Jaw Range of Motion Problem?
Create a free account to organize your evidence and download your conditions summary.
VA Rating Tiers
40%
severe limitation
20%
moderate limitation
10%
Meets minimum criteria
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›40%: Interincisal distance (jaw opening) 10 mm or less — rated under DC 9905 also for jaw opening.
- ›20%: Interincisal distance 11–30 mm — moderate limitation of jaw opening. DC 9905.
- ›10%: Interincisal distance 31–40 mm with evidence of pain on movement. DC 9905.
- ›0%: Jaw opening above 40 mm — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 9905 — rated on interincisal distance (jaw opening in mm) and pain.
- ›40%: ≤ 11mm interincisal distance (severe trismus).
- ›20%: ≤ 31mm interincisal distance.
- ›10%: Painful limited motion or mild restriction.
- ›50% applies to jaw immobility/ankylosis — requires C&P clinical measurement.
- ›If you also have clicking, locking, or teeth grinding, see Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •Rated under DC 9905 — same code as TMJ disorder.
- •VA measures interincisal distance (mm between upper and lower front teeth at maximum opening).
- •Normal jaw opening is approximately 40–50mm. Ratings begin when opening is measurably limited.
- •If you also have clicking, locking, or pain, file under Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •sick call or dental records showing jaw injury or complaint during service
- •records of head, face, or jaw trauma during service
Medical Evidence
- •dental or oral medicine records documenting limited jaw opening
- •measurement of interincisal distance by provider
- •imaging (panoramic X-ray or MRI of jaw joint)
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing difficulty opening mouth and onset during or after service
- •buddy statement noting jaw stiffness or chewing difficulty
Diagnostic Tests
- •measurement of interincisal distance (mm)
- •panoramic dental X-ray
- •MRI of temporomandibular joint
- •oral medicine evaluation
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Dental / Oral Medicine — Jaw Range of Motion
Be ready to describe
- •how far you can open your mouth (use fingers as a rough guide)
- •whether opening is painful
- •in-service cause — injury, stress, or other event
- •treatments tried and their effect
Prep notes
- •The examiner will measure exactly how far you can open your mouth — do not force it past your comfortable limit.
- •Describe your worst-day limitation, not your best-day.
- •Bring dental records or any jaw imaging if available.
- •If secondary to PTSD or anxiety (teeth grinding/stress), bring documentation of that condition.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 9905
- Category
- Dental / Oral
- Subcategory
- Jaw / TMJ
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 40%
Also Known As
jaw limited openingjaw range of motionlimited mouth openingtrismusrestricted jaw openingjaw stiffnessjaw won't opencan't open mouth widejaw ROM
Related Conditions
Secondary to
📋
Organize your claim
Add Jaw Limited Opening / Jaw Range of Motion Problem to your claim and answer guided questions to build your evidence package.
Get Started Free