What happens during a C&P exam for Oral Leukoplakia?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Oral Leukoplakia

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Oral Leukoplakia?

Oral Leukoplakia (DC 9917) is rated at 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring). Per DC 9917 verbatim, rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring. 10% applies when excisional biopsy / surgical removal leaves residual scarring (DC 7800-7805 by analogy) or minor functional impairment.

Q: What rates 10% for Oral Leukoplakia under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring) (DC 9917), a 10% rating for Oral Leukoplakia requires: Per DC 9917 verbatim, rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring. 10% applies when excisional biopsy / surgical removal leaves residual scarring (DC 7800-7805 by analogy) or minor functional impairment.

Q: What rates 0% for Oral Leukoplakia under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring) (DC 9917), a 0% rating for Oral Leukoplakia requires: Per DC 9917, white patch / dysplastic lesion under monitoring with no current functional impairment, no surgical excision performed, periodic biopsy surveillance only.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Oral Leukoplakia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Oral Leukoplakia claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 9917 | 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring) | 

Oral Leukoplakia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9917 of 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9917 (Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign — rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring) across 2 severity tiers (10% / 0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

OVERVIEW

White patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth that cannot be scraped off. Considered potentially precancerous. Associated with tobacco use and chronic irritation. Requires periodic biopsy and monitoring.

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

10%

Per DC 9917 verbatim, rate as loss of supporting structures and/or functional impairment due to scarring. 10% applies when excisional biopsy / surgical removal leaves residual scarring (DC 7800-7805 by analogy) or minor functional impairment.

Per DC 9917, white patch / dysplastic lesion under monitoring with no current functional impairment, no surgical excision performed, periodic biopsy surveillance only.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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