Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) VA Disability Medical Rating Explanation
The number of military soldiers killed or injured by and IED blast while in the middle east during the Iraq and Afghanistan War has been unprecedented. IED devices are known to cause a high rate of injury to the head and other areas of the body where military soldiers body parts were not protected from body armor. In fact, some of the most traumatic injuries from IED blast have created a wide array of oral trauma. During these combat related deployments, our military servicemembers have sustained an abundance of dental and oral conditions while during their active duty service. To prevent a soldier from being nondeployable, each military branch offers satisfactory dental treatment in medical facilities both in country and abroad.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a dental or oral condition that is caused by inflammation of the temporomandibular joint that connects the skull to the mandible. TMJ is associated as being a chronic pain disorder linked to IED post related conditions. A severe injury to the jaw or the muscles near the head and neck from a IED blast can be affiliated with the following causes:
- Misalignment or traumatic event to jaw
- Grinding of the teeth
- Stress and anxiety[xyz-ips snippet=”post”]
- Arthritis in the joint
- Headaches or migraines
- Hearing loss
According the 38 CFR 4.150 and 9905: Temporomandibular articulation and TMJ will be rated by the VA based on the loss of motion of the joint to include
Inter-incisal range: Jaw restricted from opening
- 0 to 10 mm 40%
- 11 to 20 mm 30%
- 21 to 30 mm 20%
- 31 to 40 mm 10%
Range of lateral excursion: Side to side movement is restricted
- 0 to 4 mm 10%
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