What happens during a C&P exam for Loss of Tongue?

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.

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Loss of Tongue

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Loss of Tongue?

Loss of Tongue (DC 7202) is rated at 100%, 60%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment). Absent oral nutritional intake. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Patient cannot take any nutrition orally — requires PEG tube, nasogastric tube, or other non-oral nutrition modality permanently.

Q: What rates 100% for Loss of Tongue under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7202), a 100% rating for Loss of Tongue requires: Absent oral nutritional intake. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Patient cannot take any nutrition orally — requires PEG tube, nasogastric tube, or other non-oral nutrition modality permanently.

Q: What rates 60% for Loss of Tongue under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7202), a 60% rating for Loss of Tongue requires: Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function that requires prescribed dietary modification. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Per Note 2: "Dietary modifications due to this condition must be prescribed by a medical provider" — self-imposed dietary changes do not qualify; a physician/SLP prescription is required for this tier.

Q: What rates 30% for Loss of Tongue under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment) (DC 7202), a 30% rating for Loss of Tongue requires: Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function without prescribed dietary modification. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Demonstrable swallowing dysfunction on clinical exam / videofluoroscopy / FEES study but no formal physician-prescribed dietary modification.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Loss of Tongue VA claim?

Key evidence for a Loss of Tongue 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 7202 | 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment) | 

Loss of Tongue is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 7202 of 38 CFR § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment) across 3 severity tiers (100% / 60% / 30%). 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

Partial or complete loss of the tongue from trauma, surgery (glossectomy for cancer), or injury. Causes severe difficulty with speech, eating, swallowing, and taste. Profoundly impacts quality of life.

RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)

100%

Absent oral nutritional intake. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Patient cannot take any nutrition orally — requires PEG tube, nasogastric tube, or other non-oral nutrition modality permanently.

60%

Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function that requires prescribed dietary modification. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Per Note 2: "Dietary modifications due to this condition must be prescribed by a medical provider" — self-imposed dietary changes do not qualify; a physician/SLP prescription is required for this tier.

30%

Intact oral nutritional intake with permanently impaired swallowing function without prescribed dietary modification. (Verbatim § 4.114 DC 7202.) Demonstrable swallowing dysfunction on clinical exam / videofluoroscopy / FEES study but no formal physician-prescribed dietary modification.

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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