Orofacial Dyskinesia

DC 9905Dental/Oral38 CFR 4.150, DC 9905

Involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, jaw, tongue, or lips, often caused by long-term use of certain medications. These movements can make eating, speaking, and social interaction difficult.

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 9905

Rating range

10% – 30%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.150, DC 9905. 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 severe involuntary movements that significantly impair eating (requiring dietary modification), cause marked speech difficulty, and result in social avoidance or withdrawal.

What the VA looks for

Severe involuntary movements on examination
Dietary modification required (soft foods, liquids)
Marked speech impairment documented
Social avoidance or withdrawal
Impact on employment documented
Weight loss from eating difficulty

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the medication that caused the dyskinesia — if a medication prescribed during military service caused the condition (tardive dyskinesia), this establishes direct service connection.
⚠Not getting a video recording of the movements during examinations — dyskinesia can worsen with stress and improve with concentration, so the C&P exam may not capture the full severity.
⚠Not filing for secondary depression or anxiety — the visible involuntary movements commonly cause social embarrassment, isolation, and mental health conditions that warrant separate ratings.
⚠Not requesting the examiner use the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) — this standardized rating scale provides objective documentation of severity.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Dental and Oral Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 9905

Rating range

10% – 30%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

You have severe involuntary movements that significantly impair eating (requiring dietary modification), cause marked speech difficulty, and result in social avoidance or withdrawal.

What the VA looks for

Severe involuntary movements on examination
Dietary modification required (soft foods, liquids)
Marked speech impairment documented
Social avoidance or withdrawal
Impact on employment documented
Weight loss from eating difficulty

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting the medication that caused the dyskinesia — if a medication prescribed during military service caused the condition (tardive dyskinesia), this establishes direct service connection.

⚠Not getting a video recording of the movements during examinations — dyskinesia can worsen with stress and improve with concentration, so the C&P exam may not capture the full severity.

⚠Not filing for secondary depression or anxiety — the visible involuntary movements commonly cause social embarrassment, isolation, and mental health conditions that warrant separate ratings.

⚠Not requesting the examiner use the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) — this standardized rating scale provides objective documentation of severity.