What happens during a C&P exam for Jaw Fracture Residuals?

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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Jaw Fracture Residuals

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Jaw Fracture Residuals?

Jaw Fracture Residuals (DC 9904) is rated at 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904. DC 9903 — "Mandible, nonunion of, confirmed by diagnostic imaging studies: Severe, with false motion" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9903.) Mandibular nonunion confirmed by imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, bone scan, or ultrasound per § 4.150 Note 1) with palpable abnormal mobility at the fracture site. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, nonunion, With false motion" = 30%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9916.)

Q: What rates 30% for Jaw Fracture Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904 (DC 9904), a 30% rating for Jaw Fracture Residuals requires: DC 9903 — "Mandible, nonunion of, confirmed by diagnostic imaging studies: Severe, with false motion" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9903.) Mandibular nonunion confirmed by imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, bone scan, or ultrasound per § 4.150 Note 1) with palpable abnormal mobility at the fracture site. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, nonunion, With false motion" = 30%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9916.)

Q: What rates 20% for Jaw Fracture Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904 (DC 9904), a 20% rating for Jaw Fracture Residuals requires: DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) Mandibular malunion with healing in a position that produces a severe open-bite deformity (failure of upper and lower teeth to occlude in the anterior or posterior region).

Q: What rates 10% for Jaw Fracture Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904 (DC 9904), a 10% rating for Jaw Fracture Residuals requires: DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) OR — DC 9903 "Mandible, nonunion of: Moderate, without false motion" = 10%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, nonunion, Without false motion" = 10%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9903 / 9904 / 9916.)

Q: What rates 0% for Jaw Fracture Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904 (DC 9904), a 0% rating for Jaw Fracture Residuals requires: DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, not causing anterior or posterior open bite" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing mild anterior or posterior open bite" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9916.)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Jaw Fracture Residuals VA claim?

Key evidence for a Jaw Fracture Residuals 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 990438 C.F.R. § 4.150

Diagnostic Code

DC 9904

38 C.F.R. § 4.150

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.150

Jaw Fracture Residuals is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9904 of 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9904 across 4 severity tiers (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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Residual effects from fracture of the mandible or maxilla. Common in veterans from combat injuries, training accidents, or assaults. Residuals may include malunion, nonunion, limited jaw opening, numbness, and chronic pain.

Rating Criteria

30%

DC 9903 — "Mandible, nonunion of, confirmed by diagnostic imaging studies: Severe, with false motion" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9903.) Mandibular nonunion confirmed by imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, bone scan, or ultrasound per § 4.150 Note 1) with palpable abnormal mobility at the fracture site. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, nonunion, With false motion" = 30%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite" = 30%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9916.)

20%

DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) Mandibular malunion with healing in a position that produces a severe open-bite deformity (failure of upper and lower teeth to occlude in the anterior or posterior region).

10%

DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) OR — DC 9903 "Mandible, nonunion of: Moderate, without false motion" = 10%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, nonunion, Without false motion" = 10%. OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9903 / 9904 / 9916.)

DC 9904 — "Mandible, malunion of: Displacement, not causing anterior or posterior open bite" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9904.) OR — DC 9916 "Maxilla, malunion, With displacement, causing mild anterior or posterior open bite" = 0%. (Verbatim § 4.150 DC 9916.)

03Key Evidence

—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

04C&P Exam Tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.150 (Dental and oral conditions). Source verified 2026-05-14 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.150 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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