Oral Dysesthesia

DC 9913Dental/Oral38 CFR 4.150, DC 9913

An abnormal sensation in the mouth such as burning, tingling, or numbness that does not go away. This can make eating and drinking uncomfortable and may be caused by nerve damage from dental procedures, injuries, or chemical exposures during service.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 9913

Rating range

0% – 10%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.150, DC 9913. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

You have persistent burning, tingling, or numbness in your mouth that affects your ability to eat certain foods or drinks. The discomfort is constant or near-constant and requires medication or dietary changes.

What the VA looks for

Persistent daily oral burning or tingling documented
Medication for neuropathic pain (gabapentin, etc.)
Dietary modifications due to oral discomfort
Neurological evaluation confirming nerve damage
Impact on eating hot, cold, or spicy foods documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a neurological evaluation to objectively document the nerve damage — nerve conduction studies or quantitative sensory testing can confirm the dysesthesia is real and measurable.
⚠Not connecting to an in-service dental procedure or injury — nerve damage from wisdom tooth extractions, dental implants, or jaw injuries during service is a common cause of oral dysesthesia.
⚠Not documenting how the condition affects daily eating and drinking — describe specific foods and temperatures you cannot tolerate, and how this has changed your diet.
⚠Not filing for a mental health secondary condition — chronic oral pain and burning can contribute to depression and anxiety, which may warrant a separate rating.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Dental and Oral Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 9913

Rating range

0% – 10%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

Persistent daily oral burning or tingling documented
Medication for neuropathic pain (gabapentin, etc.)
Dietary modifications due to oral discomfort
Neurological evaluation confirming nerve damage
Impact on eating hot, cold, or spicy foods documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a neurological evaluation to objectively document the nerve damage — nerve conduction studies or quantitative sensory testing can confirm the dysesthesia is real and measurable.

⚠Not connecting to an in-service dental procedure or injury — nerve damage from wisdom tooth extractions, dental implants, or jaw injuries during service is a common cause of oral dysesthesia.

⚠Not documenting how the condition affects daily eating and drinking — describe specific foods and temperatures you cannot tolerate, and how this has changed your diet.

⚠Not filing for a mental health secondary condition — chronic oral pain and burning can contribute to depression and anxiety, which may warrant a separate rating.