EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Loss of Teeth
DC 9913 | 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 |
Loss of Teeth is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9913 of 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 across 5 severity tiers (40% / 30% / 20% / 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
Loss of teeth due to injury, disease, or bone loss. VA dental disability compensation requires loss of teeth due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible. Service-connected tooth loss from trauma is separately compensable.
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
40%
DC 9913 — "Where the lost masticatory surface cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis: Loss of all teeth" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9913.) Complete edentulism (all upper AND all lower teeth missing) where bone substrate cannot support prosthesis (e.g., severe atrophic ridge, irradiated mandible, post-osteomyelitis sequelae).
30%
DC 9913 — "Where the lost masticatory surface cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis: Loss of all upper teeth" = 30%; OR "Loss of all lower teeth" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9913.) Complete edentulism of one arch (maxillary OR mandibular) where bone substrate cannot support prosthesis.
20%
DC 9913 — "Where the lost masticatory surface cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis: All upper and lower posterior teeth missing" = 20%; OR "All upper and lower anterior teeth missing" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9913.) Bilateral posterior OR bilateral anterior teeth loss across both arches where prosthesis cannot restore function.
10%
DC 9913 — "Where the lost masticatory surface cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis: All upper anterior teeth missing" = 10%; OR "All lower anterior teeth missing" = 10%; OR "All upper and lower teeth on one side missing" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9913.) Three specific anatomic patterns — single-arch anterior loss or full unilateral loss — all rate at 10% when not restorable.
0%
DC 9913 — "Where the loss of masticatory surface can be restored by suitable prosthesis" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9913.) Any pattern of tooth loss where dentures, bridges, or implant-supported prosthesis can functionally restore mastication.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026