🦷 Dental / OralDental LossDC 9913

Loss of Teeth Due to Jaw Bone Loss

Loss of teeth resulting from loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible — the underlying jaw bone. This is one of the few VA-ratable dental conditions. Rated at 10% under DC 9913.

Claiming Loss of Teeth Due to Jaw Bone Loss?

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VA Rating Tiers

10%
tooth loss with prosthetic issue
0%
tooth loss confirmed
0%
Meets minimum criteria

Rating Notes

  • 10%: Loss of teeth due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible — rated 10% per jaw (upper or lower). DC 9913.
  • 0%: Tooth loss without loss of jaw bone substance — rated separately under prosthetic/dental codes.
  • DC 9913: Loss of teeth due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.
  • 10%: When a dental prosthesis cannot be fitted due to the jaw bone deficiency.
  • IMPORTANT: Routine dental problems (decay, gum disease) are not ratable under this DC.
  • The jaw bone loss must be directly connected to service — osteomyelitis, trauma, radiation, or cancer surgery.
  • Also file the underlying jaw bone condition (DC 9900, 9901, 9902, etc.) separately.

Eligibility Basics

Current symptoms
In-service event
Diagnosis or lay evidence
  • DC 9913 — loss of teeth due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.
  • IMPORTANT: Routine tooth loss or decay is NOT VA ratable. This DC only applies when teeth were lost because of loss of the underlying jaw bone.
  • The jaw bone loss itself must be service-connected (e.g., from osteomyelitis, trauma, or radiation).
  • Rated at 10% when a dental prosthesis cannot be fitted due to the bone loss.
  • A nexus letter linking the jaw bone loss to service is required.

Evidence to Gather

Service Records

  • records of jaw injury, infection, or radiation treatment during service that caused bone loss
  • dental records showing jaw bone loss during or after service

Medical Evidence

  • imaging (panoramic X-ray, CT) showing jaw bone loss and associated tooth loss
  • oral surgeon or dentist records documenting bone loss-related tooth loss
  • records showing inability to fit a dental prosthesis due to bone deficiency

Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)

  • personal statement describing jaw injury or condition during service and subsequent tooth loss
  • statement noting inability to wear dentures or prosthetics due to jaw condition

Diagnostic Tests

  • panoramic dental X-ray
  • CT scan of jaw showing bone loss
  • dental evaluation for prosthetic fitting

C&P Exam Preparation

Exam type: Dental / Oral Medicine — Tooth Loss from Jaw Bone Loss

Be ready to describe

  • what caused the jaw bone loss that led to tooth loss (service-connected condition)
  • whether you can wear dentures or other prosthetics
  • how this affects eating and daily activities

Prep notes

  • Bring records showing the underlying jaw bone condition is service-connected.
  • Bring dental imaging showing bone loss and tooth loss.
  • Clarify that this is bone-loss-related tooth loss, not routine dental decay.
  • If unable to wear dentures, clearly explain this to the examiner.

Quick Facts

Diagnostic Code
DC 9913
Category
Dental / Oral
Subcategory
Dental Loss
Typical Claim Type
direct
Rating Range
0% – 10%

Also Known As

tooth loss jaw bone lossteeth lost due to bone lossdental loss bone losstooth loss mandibleteeth lost maxilla bone lossdental bone loss tooth loss

Related Conditions

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