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VA Disability Rating for Dental Conditions

Military service-related dental injuries and conditions affect a significant number of U.S. veterans. Veterans who meet specific criteria may qualify for dental disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA dental disability ratings can be anywhere from 0% to 100% depending on the severity and type of condition.

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Content Reviewed by: Matt Coveney

Last Modified Date: December 18, 2024

Key Takeaways

Veterans who suffer from service-related dental injuries or conditions may be eligible for VA disability benefits, with specific criteria for qualification.
VA dental disability ratings are assigned based on the impairment’s impact on functions like chewing and speaking, with possible ratings ranging from 0% to 100%.
The VA recognizes various classes of dental benefits, each determining the extent of benefits a veteran is eligible to receive based on their service and condition.

When you enlist in the military, you are bravely choosing to risk both your mind and body for your country. When most veterans think about the potential consequences of enlisting, dental disability is not typically one of the first things that come to mind, yet dental injuries or conditions affect a surprising number of veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supports injured service members across the country and provides monthly disability payments to help offset any debilitating dental conditions you may have received or aggravated in service.

Learn more about the VA’s dental options and disability payments, whether you qualify for either, and how to sign up for these benefits.

What Kinds of Dental Problems Are Eligible for Disability Benefits?

The main types of dental problems eligible for VA disability benefits include those that impair your ability to chew or talk, such as the loss of your jaw bone. Examples of eligible dental issues include the following:

Diagnostic code 9901. Complete loss of mandible between angles: 100 percent rating
Diagnostic code 9902. Partial loss of mandible: 10 percent to 70 percent rating
Diagnostic code 9911. Partial loss of hard palate: zero to 30 percent rating
Diagnostic code 9913. Loss of teeth due to loss of mandible or maxilla without loss of continuity: zero to 40 percent rating
Diagnostic code 9918. Malignant neoplasm of the hard and soft tissue: 100 percent rating

The significance of the percentage ratings is discussed in more detail below.

Why Do Veterans Experience Dental Issues?

There are several common reasons that veterans may experience dental issues. Veterans who can link their dental conditions to military circumstances may have sustained wounds that resulted in maxillofacial injuries, such as explosions. For service members who receive injuries in non-military circumstances, the injury is most often traffic related.

Veterans have also been found to have higher rates of common dental conditions, such as filled teeth. This is because veterans are more likely to come from groups that have a higher dental health risk, such as the following:

Males
Smokers
Older adults
Diabetics

When combined with injuries during military service, existing proclivities toward dental conditions could increase the risk of severe dental issues.

VA Dental Benefits

The VA recognizes nine classes of dental benefits. Each class determines the extent of benefits you are eligible to receive. If you are eligible for dental benefits, the VA will place you into a class to help determine your total dental benefits.

Class I is for veterans with a direct service-connected dental disability or condition that is eligible for compensation.
Class II is for Persian Gulf War veterans who apply for VA dental care within 180 days of leaving military service honorably. These veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty during the time of the Persian Gulf War are qualified to receive one-time dental service. They are eligible for the service so long as they did not receive a complete examination and related dental treatment before discharge, according to their DD214.
Class IIA is for veterans with a direct service-connected dental condition that is non-compensable. This dental condition must have resulted from combat wounds or service-related trauma. These veterans are eligible to receive any necessary dental care.
Class IIB is for veterans who have enrolled in VA benefits and may be homeless. These veterans who receive care under VHA Directive 2007-039 are eligible for a one-time course of dental care necessary to gain employment, relieve pain, or treat periodontal or gingival conditions.
Class IIC is for former prisoners of war. These veterans are eligible to receive any necessary dental care.
Class III is for veterans with a dental condition the VA has determined to have a direct detrimental effect on a service-connected medical condition.
Class IV is for veterans with a 100% disabling service-connected condition or those who receive Total Disability Individual Unemployability because of a service-connected condition. These veterans can receive any necessary dental care.
Class V is for veterans who actively engage in a VA vocational rehabilitation program. These veterans can receive any necessary dental care, as determined by a VA dental professional, for achieving vocational rehabilitation goals or maximum daily living independence.
Class VI is for veterans who currently receive or will soon receive VA care. These veterans require dental care to resolve a condition that complicates a medical condition currently under treatment. These veterans are eligible to receive dental care to resolve the dental conditions that complicate their medical condition.

If you require dental care and your situation fits one of the above classes, you may be eligible for VA dental benefits.

VA Ratings for Dental and Oral Conditions

If you are suffering from a dental condition that may qualify for VA disability, one of the first things you should do is learn about your potential VA dental disability ratings. The VA’s Schedule of ratings for dental and oral conditions lists different oral and dental conditions and their associated ratings.

These VA ratings range from zero to 100 percent. The higher your percentage rating, the higher your disability compensation rates will be. However, you must receive a VA dental disability rating of at least 10 percent to receive VA benefits.

After you find your scheduled rating, you can compare it to the 2025 Veterans disability compensation rates.

For example, a veteran with no dependents may expect the following monthly compensation rates:

10 percent: $175.51
20 percent: $346.95
30 percent: $537.42
40 percent: $774.16
50 percent: $1,102.04

60 percent: $1,395.93
70 percent: $1,759.19
80 percent: $2,044.89
90 percent: $2,297.96
100 percent: $3,831.30

Veterans with a 10 percent or 20 percent VA dental disability rating do not qualify for additional compensation for dependents. However, veterans with a 30 percent or higher disability rating can expect increased monthly compensation if they support a dependent spouse, parent, or child.

The maximum amount you can receive as a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating, two dependent parents, and one child would be $4,544.22 per month. If you have additional children or a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance, you could add on the following additional monthly amounts:

A spouse receiving Aid and Attendance: $191.14
Each additional child under 18: $103.55
Each additional child over 18 in a qualifying educational program: $334.49

Apply for VA Benefits

If you believe you may be eligible for VA dental benefits, you should file a claim today. These benefits can cover necessary dental care. They can also provide much-needed compensatory benefits to you and your family.

Even if you do not qualify for VA dental care benefits, you may be able to purchase dental insurance at a lower cost through the VA Dental Insurance Program. To do so, you must sign up for VA health care or the Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). These dental insurance policies will not cover every dental procedure and do not provide free care, but they can be helpful if you are ineligible for VA dental benefits.

If your VA benefits application is accepted, you can visit one of the more than 200 VA dental clinics around the United States. You can apply for VA dental care benefits by completing the online 10-10EZ health care application.

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TCPA

By checking this box and clicking “Get A Free Case Evaluation”, I am providing my electronic signature expressly consenting to receive marketing phone calls and SMS text messages from National Advocates for Veterans Disability Assistance, LLC (“NAVDA”), or parties acting on its behalf, related to the products or services that I am inquiring about on the landline and/or mobile phone number that I provided, regardless of whether it is on any Do Not Call registry. I confirm that the phone number set forth above is accurate and that I am the regular user of the phone number. I understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system and may contain pre-recorded and/or artificial voice messages. I understand that consent is not required as a condition for purchasing or obtaining any products or services. For SMS messages campaigns, text “STOP” to stop and “HELP” for help. Msg & data rates may apply.

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