What happens during a C&P exam for Loss of Teeth?

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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Loss of Teeth

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Loss of Teeth?

Loss of Teeth (DC 9913) is rated at 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913. 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).

Q: What rates 40% for Loss of Teeth under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 (DC 9913), a 40% rating for Loss of Teeth requires: 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).

Q: What rates 30% for Loss of Teeth under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 (DC 9913), a 30% rating for Loss of Teeth requires: 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.

Q: What rates 20% for Loss of Teeth under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 (DC 9913), a 20% rating for Loss of Teeth requires: 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.

Q: What rates 10% for Loss of Teeth under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 (DC 9913), a 10% rating for Loss of Teeth requires: 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.

Q: What rates 0% for Loss of Teeth under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913?

Under 38 CFR § 4.150, DC 9913 (DC 9913), a 0% rating for Loss of Teeth requires: 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.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Loss of Teeth VA claim?

Key evidence for a Loss of Teeth 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 991338 C.F.R. § 4.150

Diagnostic Code

DC 9913

38 C.F.R. § 4.150

Rating Range

0–40%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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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