C&P Exam for Temporomandibular disorder (DC 9905)
Which form the examiner uses
For temporomandibular disorder (DC 9905), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ ENT Temporomandibular Disorders (examiner-only DBQ. Link opens VA Find-A-Form search)
DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.
What to expect at your C&P exam
A TMJ (jaw joint) exam measures how far your jaw opens and moves. The rating depends on that limited motion and any dietary restriction, under 38 CFR 4.150.
1Initial interview (history)
- Jaw pain, clicking, popping, or locking.
- Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth, and any diet changes.
- Treatments (splint, medication, surgery).
2Physical examination
- Measuring how wide you can open your mouth (the inter-incisal distance) and side-to-side jaw motion, in millimeters.
- Checking for clicking, tenderness, and muscle spasm.
3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on
Imaging when a joint problem is suspected.
4Functional assessment
- How far the jaw opens (the inter-incisal range) and any restriction to a soft or liquid diet, which set the rating.
- Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.150 (temporomandibular disorder DC 9905).
Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.
What the examiner records (full DBQ form)
The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.
This DBQ evaluates temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders including diagnosis, range of motion, dietary restrictions, and functional impact.
How DC 9905 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and V-VIII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Section IV covers an unrelated condition on this DBQ and is skipped.
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 1A. List the claimed conditions that pertain to this questionnaire: Note: These are the diagnoses determined during this current evaluation of the claimed condition(s) listed above. If there is no diagnosis, if the diagnosis is different from a previous diagnosis for this condition, or if there is a diagnosis of a complication due to the claimed condition, explain your findings and reasons in the…
- 1B. Does the Veteran now have or has he or she ever had a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condition? Yes No (if "Yes" complete item 1C)
- 1C. Provide only diagnoses that pertain to TMJ conditions: Diagnosis # 1: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis: Diagnosis # 2: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis: Diagnosis # 3: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
- 1D. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to TMJ conditions, list using above format:
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
- 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's TMJ condition (brief summary):
- 2B. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the TMJ condition? Yes No If yes, document the Veteran's description of the flare-ups he/she experiences, including the frequency, duration, characteristics, precipitating and alleviating factors, severity and/or extent of functional impairment he or she experiences during a flare-up of symptoms. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)
- 2C. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional impairment of the joint or extremity being evaluated on this questionnaire, including but not limited to after repeated use over time? Yes No If yes, document the Veteran's description of functional loss or functional impairment in his/her own words.
RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) AND FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION (Section III)
- 3A. Initial ROM measurements Right TMJ Left TMJ All normal Abnormal or outside of normal range All normal Abnormal or outside of normal range Unable to test Not indicated Unable to test Not indicated
- 3B. Observed repetitive use ROM 3B. Observed repetitive use ROM Is the Veteran able to perform repetitive-use testing with at least three repetitions? Is the Veteran able to perform repetitive-use testing with at least three repetitions? Yes No If no, please explain: Yes No If no, please explain: Is there additional loss of function or range of motion after three repetitions? Is there additional…
- 3C. Repeated use over time 3C. Repeated use over time Is the Veteran being examined immediately after repeated use over time? Is the Veteran being examined immediately after repeated use over time? Yes No Yes No Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability with repeated…
- 3D. Flare-ups 3D. Flare-ups Is the examination being conducted during a flare- up? Yes No Is the examination being conducted during a flare- up? Yes No Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability,
- 3E. Additional factors contributing to disability 3E. Additional factors contributing to disability In addition to those addressed above, are there additional contributing factors of disability? Please select all that apply and describe: In addition to those addressed above, are there additional contributing factors of disability? Please select all that apply and describe: None Swelling None…
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS (Section IV)
- 4A. Does the Veteran require a mechanically altered foods diet, which has been physician verified or documented, due to the temporomandibular disorder? If yes, indicate the restrictions below: Yes No Dietary restrictions to all mechanically altered foods, to include full liquid, puree foods, soft foods, and semi-solid foods Dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section V)
- 5A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical finding, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in the diagnosis section above? Yes No If yes, describe (brief summary) Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)
- 5B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section? Yes No If yes, also complete the appropriate dermatological questionnaire.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section VI)
- 6A. Have imaging studies been performed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No
- 6B. If yes, is degenerative or post-traumatic arthritis documented? Yes No Indicate side. Right Left Both
- 6C. If yes provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
- 6D. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es), that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
- 6E. If any test results are other than normal, indicate relationship of abnormal findings to diagnosed conditions: Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VII)
- 7A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? Yes No If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section VIII)
- 8A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).
Rating Levels for DC 9905
The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.
Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.
Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 9905
The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.
- Service treatment records: appeared in 453 granted decisions (926 denied; 1379 decided total)
- Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 320 granted decisions (613 denied; 933 decided total)
- Medical literature: appeared in 29 granted decisions (37 denied; 66 decided total)
Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.