---
title: "DC 9902 - Mandible, loss of, including ramus, unilaterally or bilaterally"
diagnostic_code: "9902"
body_system: "Dental and Oral Conditions"
cfr_section: "§ 4.150"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/dental/9902-mandible-loss-of-including-ramus-unilaterally-or-bilaterally"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.150"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:48:24.024803Z"
---

# DC 9902 - Mandible, loss of, including ramus, unilaterally or bilaterally

Rated under § 4.150. Body system: Dental and Oral Conditions.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 70% | Loss of one-half or more, Involving temporomandibular articulation Not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 50% | Loss of one-half or more, Involving temporomandibular articulation Replaceable by prosthesis |
| 40% | Loss of one-half or more, Not involving temporomandibular articulation. Not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 30% | Loss of one-half or more, Not involving temporomandibular articulation. Replaceable by prosthesis |
| 70% | Loss of less than one-half, Involving temporomandibular articulation. Not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 50% | Loss of less than one-half, Involving temporomandibular articulation. Replaceable by prosthesis |
| 20% | Loss of less than one-half, Not involving temporomandibular articulation. Not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 10% | Loss of less than one-half, Not involving temporomandibular articulation. Replaceable by prosthesis |

## Notes

- 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

# Loss of the Mandible (Diagnostic Code 9902)

**VA Disability Rating for Loss of the Lower Jaw — Including the Ramus**

*Body System: Dental and Oral Conditions · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.150*

---

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 9902 covers the **loss of the mandible** — the lower jawbone — **including the ramus** (the vertical part of the jaw that connects to the skull). This loss can affect **one side (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally)**.

Because the mandible plays a central role in chewing, speaking, and the movement of the jaw joint, its loss can have significant effects on daily function.

---

## How the VA Rates This Condition

The VA assigns a disability rating based on **three key factors**:

1. **How much of the mandible is lost** — one-half or more, or less than one-half.
2. **Whether the loss involves the temporomandibular articulation** — the jaw joint where the mandible connects to the skull.
3. **Whether the loss is replaceable by a prosthesis** — that is, whether a prosthetic device can restore the affected structure.

### Available Rating Levels

**Loss of one-half or more of the mandible:**

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **70%** | Involving the temporomandibular articulation — **not** replaceable by prosthesis |
| **50%** | Involving the temporomandibular articulation — replaceable by prosthesis |
| **40%** | **Not** involving the temporomandibular articulation — **not** replaceable by prosthesis |
| **30%** | **Not** involving the temporomandibular articulation — replaceable by prosthesis |

**Loss of less than one-half of the mandible:**

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **70%** | Involving the temporomandibular articulation — **not** replaceable by prosthesis |
| **50%** | Involving the temporomandibular articulation — replaceable by prosthesis |
| **20%** | **Not** involving the temporomandibular articulation — **not** replaceable by prosthesis |
| **10%** | **Not** involving the temporomandibular articulation — replaceable by prosthesis |

---

## What the VA Looks For

- **The extent of bone loss** — determining whether one-half or more, or less than one-half, of the mandible has been lost.
- **Involvement of the jaw joint** — whether the temporomandibular articulation is affected.
- **Whether a prosthesis can replace the lost structure.**

**Diagnostic imaging.** 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.

**Related impairments may be rated separately.** The VA separately evaluates loss of vocal articulation, loss of smell, loss of taste, neurological impairment, respiratory dysfunction, and other impairments under the appropriate diagnostic code, and combines them under § 4.25 for each separately rated condition.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.150