VA Diagnostic Code 9917Neoplasm, hard and soft tissue, benign
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 loss of supporting structures (bone or teeth) and/or functional impairment due to scarring.
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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
Benign Neoplasm of Hard and Soft Tissue (Diagnostic Code 9917)
Dental and Oral Conditions — 38 CFR § 4.150
What This Condition Is
A benign neoplasm of the hard and soft tissue refers to a non-cancerous growth affecting the bone or soft tissue structures of the dental and oral region. While these growths are not malignant, they can still affect the supporting structures of the mouth and jaw, and may leave lasting effects such as scarring or loss of function.
How the VA Rates This Condition
Diagnostic Code 9917 does not use a single fixed set of percentage levels. Instead, the VA rates this condition based on the actual impact the neoplasm has had on your oral and related structures.
According to the rating criteria, a benign neoplasm of the hard and soft tissue is evaluated as:
- Loss of supporting structures — such as bone or teeth
- And/or functional impairment due to scarring
In other words, the rating reflects the practical, physical consequences of the neoplasm rather than the diagnosis alone.
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating this condition, the VA considers the following:
Diagnostic imaging. Per Note (1), diagnostic imaging studies used for VA compensation purposes include, but are not limited to:
- Conventional radiography (X-ray)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- Radionuclide bone scanning
- Ultrasonography
Separately rated impairments. Per Note (2), certain related impairments are evaluated on their own under the appropriate diagnostic code and then combined under § 4.25. These separately evaluated conditions include:
- Loss of vocal articulation
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Neurological impairment
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Other impairments
Each of these is rated under its own applicable diagnostic code, and each separately rated condition is combined according to § 4.25.
Key Takeaways
- Diagnostic Code 9917 covers benign (non-cancerous) growths of the hard and soft tissue in the dental and oral region.
- The rating is based on loss of supporting structures (bone or teeth) and/or functional impairment due to scarring.
- A range of imaging studies may be used to evaluate the condition.
- Related impairments — such as loss of smell, taste, vocal articulation, neurological, or respiratory effects — are rated separately and combined under § 4.25.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.150, diagnostic code 9917. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
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