VA Diagnostic Code 9900Maxilla or mandible, chronic osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis or osteoradionecrosis of
Rated under § 4.150. No rating levels have been extracted for this code yet — use the official source.
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Summary
Rate as osteomyelitis, chronic under diagnostic code 5000.
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This code has no itemised criteria in our copy of the schedule. Use the official source link for the controlling text.
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): For VA compensation purposes, diagnostic imaging studies include, but are not limited to, conventional radiography (X-ray), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), radionuclide bone scanning, or ultrasonography
- Note (2): Separately evaluate loss of vocal articulation, loss of smell, loss of taste, neurological impairment, respiratory dysfunction, and other impairments under the appropriate diagnostic code and combine under § 4.25 for each separately rated condition
Chronic Osteomyelitis, Osteonecrosis, or Osteoradionecrosis of the Maxilla or Mandible
VA Diagnostic Code 9900 · 38 CFR § 4.150 · Dental and Oral Conditions
Understanding This Condition
This condition involves chronic osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis, or osteoradionecrosis affecting the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw). These are serious conditions in which the bone of the jaw becomes infected, damaged, or begins to break down — including bone injury that can result from prior radiation exposure (osteoradionecrosis).
The VA classifies this condition under its Dental and Oral Conditions listings.
How the VA Rates This Condition
Under Diagnostic Code 9900, the VA does not use a separate rating table for the jaw. Instead, the criteria direct that this condition be rated as chronic osteomyelitis under Diagnostic Code 5000. The rating for your condition is determined by the standards that apply to chronic osteomyelitis.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating this condition, the VA considers the following:
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Diagnostic imaging studies. For VA compensation purposes, imaging studies may include — but are not limited to — conventional radiography (X-ray), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), radionuclide bone scanning, or ultrasonography.
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Separately evaluated impairments. The VA separately evaluates certain related impairments under the appropriate diagnostic code and combines them under § 4.25 for each separately rated condition. These impairments include:
- Loss of vocal articulation
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Neurological impairment
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Other impairments
Key Takeaways
- Diagnostic Code: 9900
- Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.150
- Body System: Dental and Oral Conditions
- Rating Basis: Rated as chronic osteomyelitis under Diagnostic Code 5000
- Additional Impairments: Related impairments such as loss of smell, taste, vocal articulation, and others may be separately evaluated and combined under § 4.25.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule. It does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of any particular rating outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.150, diagnostic code 9900. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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