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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CLAIM RECON INTEL

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 720238 C.F.R. § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment)

Diagnostic Code

DC 7202

38 C.F.R. § 4.114, DC 7202 (Tongue, loss of whole or part — 2024-05-19 amendment)

Rating Range

30–100%

3 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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