---
title: "DC 9911 - Hard palate, loss of"
diagnostic_code: "9911"
body_system: "Dental and Oral Conditions"
cfr_section: "§ 4.150"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/dental/9911-hard-palate-loss-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.150"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:50:33.101751Z"
---

# DC 9911 - Hard palate, loss of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 30% | Loss of half or more, not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 20% | Loss of less than half, not replaceable by prosthesis |
| 10% | Loss of half or more, replaceable by prosthesis |
| 0% | Loss of less than half, 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 Hard Palate — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 9911)

*Dental and Oral Conditions · 38 CFR § 4.150*

## Understanding This Condition

The hard palate is the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth. Under VA Diagnostic Code 9911, loss of the hard palate is evaluated based on **how much of the palate is lost** and **whether the loss can be replaced by a prosthesis** (such as a dental or oral appliance).

Two factors determine the rating level:

- **The extent of the loss** — whether half or more, or less than half, of the hard palate is lost.
- **Whether the loss is replaceable by a prosthesis** — losses that cannot be replaced are rated higher than those that can.

## Rating Levels

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **30%** | Loss of half or more, not replaceable by prosthesis |
| **20%** | Loss of less than half, not replaceable by prosthesis |
| **10%** | Loss of half or more, replaceable by prosthesis |
| **0%** | Loss of less than half, replaceable by prosthesis |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating loss of the hard palate, the VA considers the amount of the palate lost and whether that loss can be replaced by a prosthesis, then applies the corresponding level from the schedule above.

**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 rated separately.** Loss of vocal articulation, loss of smell, loss of taste, neurological impairment, respiratory dysfunction, and other impairments are separately evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic code. Each separately rated condition is then combined under § 4.25.

---

*This overview is based on the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 9911 (38 CFR § 4.150). It is provided for general information and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.*

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