VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
DC 9905: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Read VA diagnostic code 9905 for Temporomandibular disorder (TMD): published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.
Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.150, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.
Dental and Oral Conditions · All Diagnostic Codes
DC 9905: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Diagnostic code 9905 addresses Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 9905 Temporomandibular disorder (TMD): | |
| Interincisal range: | |
| 0 to 10 millimeters (mm) of maximum unassisted vertical opening. | |
| With dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods | 50 |
| Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods | 40 |
| 11 to 20 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening. | |
| With dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods | 40 |
| Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods | 30 |
| 21 to 29 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening. | |
| With dietary restrictions to full liquid and pureed foods | 40 |
| With dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods | 30 |
| Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods | 20 |
| 30 to 34 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening. | |
| With dietary restrictions to full liquid and pureed foods | 30 |
| With dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods | 20 |
| Without dietary restrictions to mechanically altered foods | 10 |
| Lateral excursion range of motion: | |
| 0 to 4 mm | 10 |
| Note (1): Ratings for limited interincisal movement shall not be combined with ratings for limited lateral excursion | |
| Note (2): For VA compensation purposes, the normal maximum unassisted range of vertical jaw opening is from 35 to 50 mm | |
| Note (3): For VA compensation purposes, mechanically altered foods are defined as altered by blending, chopping, grinding or mashing so that they are easy to chew and swallow. There are four levels of mechanically altered foods: full liquid, puree, soft, and semisolid foods. To warrant elevation based on mechanically altered foods, the use of texture-modified diets must be recorded or verified by a physician |
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 9905, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Do the examination findings record the relevant movement measurements and explain functional limitations, flare-ups and repeated use where applicable?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
Related Public DBQs
Editorial subject matches, not official VA code-to-form assignments. Read the form scope and clinician instructions.
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.
Related Guides
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
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