Diagnostic Code 9905: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.150
- Rating range
- 10% to 50%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Dental and oral conditions
The VA rates Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) under diagnostic code 9905 in 38 CFR § 4.150. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 9905 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | 30 to 34 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods; or lateral excursion range of motion of 0 to 4 mm What raters look for30 to 34 mm vertical opening without dietary restrictions; lateral excursion 0 to 4 mm |
| 20% | 30 to 34 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods; or 21 to 29 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods What raters look for30 to 34 mm with soft and semi-solid foods; 21 to 29 mm without dietary restrictions |
| 30% | 30 to 34 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to full liquid and pureed foods; or 21 to 29 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods; or 11 to 20 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods What raters look for30 to 34 mm with full liquid and pureed foods; 21 to 29 mm with soft and semi-solid foods; 11 to 20 mm without dietary restrictions |
| 40% | 21 to 29 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to full liquid and pureed foods; or 11 to 20 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods; or 0 to 10 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods What raters look for21 to 29 mm with full liquid and pureed foods; 11 to 20 mm with all mechanically altered foods; 0 to 10 mm without dietary restrictions |
| 50% | 0 to 10 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods What raters look for0 to 10 mm with all mechanically altered foods |
DC 9905 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 412 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 9905 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 27.9%, denied 63.1% and sent 9.0% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 9905 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for TMJ Dysfunction. The TMJ Dysfunction condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to TMJ Dysfunction appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 1,979 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on TMJ Dysfunction, 2021 to 2026. The TMJ Dysfunction condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe TMJ Dysfunction appeals generally rather than DC 9905 specifically. The DC 9905 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 9905?
Diagnostic code 9905 is the VA rating schedule entry for Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), found in 38 CFR § 4.150. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 9905?
DC 9905 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 9905 require?
The 50% rating for Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) requires: 0 to 10 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening, with dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 9905?
In 395 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 9905 from 2021 to 2026, 26.1% were granted, 65.1% denied and 8.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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