Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

DC 9905Dental/Oral38 CFR 4.150, DC 9905

A condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing pain, clicking, and difficulty opening the mouth. The VA rates TMJ based on how far you can open your mouth, measured by the distance between your upper and lower front teeth (inter-incisal range).

Rating Levels

Your inter-incisal range is 0mm to 10mm. This is the maximum rating for TMJ limitation of motion.

What the VA looks for

Inter-incisal range 0-10mm
Near-inability to open mouth
Liquid or soft diet required
Severe functional limitation

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not having your jaw range of motion properly measured at the C&P exam — the rating is based on exact millimeter measurements of inter-incisal range.
⚠Not reporting pain on movement and functional limitations when eating, speaking, and yawning.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions: TMJ commonly causes migraines/headaches, tinnitus, ear pain, and dental problems that may warrant separate ratings.
⚠Not connecting TMJ to military service — dental trauma, stress-related clenching/bruxism (especially secondary to PTSD), and jaw injuries during service are common causes.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Dental and Oral Conditions
DBQ Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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