---
title: "DC 9916 - Maxilla, malunion or nonunion of"
diagnostic_code: "9916"
body_system: "Dental and Oral Conditions"
cfr_section: "§ 4.150"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/dental/9916-maxilla-malunion-or-nonunion-of"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.150"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:52:05.321395Z"
---

# DC 9916 - Maxilla, malunion or nonunion of

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 30% | Nonunion, With false motion |
| 10% | Nonunion, Without false motion |
| 30% | Malunion, With displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite |
| 10% | Malunion, With displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite |
| 0% | Malunion, With displacement, causing mild anterior or posterior open bite |

## 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
- Note: For VA compensation purposes, the severity of maxillary nonunion is dependent upon the degree of abnormal mobility of maxilla fragments following treatment (i.e., presence or absence of false motion), and maxillary nonunion must be confirmed by diagnostic imaging studies

# Malunion or Nonunion of the Maxilla (VA Diagnostic Code 9916)

**Understanding how the VA rates improper healing of the upper jaw bone.**

## What This Condition Is

The maxilla is the upper jaw bone. After an injury or surgery, this bone may not heal the way it should. The VA recognizes two main problems under Diagnostic Code 9916:

- **Nonunion** — when the bone fails to knit back together properly. The severity depends on the degree of abnormal mobility of the maxilla fragments after treatment, specifically whether there is "false motion" (movement where the bone should be solid).
- **Malunion** — when the bone heals in the wrong position (with displacement), which can affect how the upper and lower teeth come together. This is measured by the degree of "open bite" (a gap between the teeth) at the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the mouth.

This condition falls under **Dental and Oral Conditions** and is evaluated under **§ 4.150** of the VA rating schedule.

## Available Rating Levels

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **30%** | Nonunion, with false motion |
| **10%** | Nonunion, without false motion |
| **30%** | Malunion, with displacement, causing severe anterior or posterior open bite |
| **10%** | Malunion, with displacement, causing moderate anterior or posterior open bite |
| **0%** | Malunion, with displacement, causing mild anterior or posterior open bite |

## What the VA Looks For

- **Confirmation by diagnostic imaging.** Maxillary nonunion must be confirmed by diagnostic imaging studies. For VA compensation purposes, these 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.
- **Presence or absence of false motion.** For nonunion, the severity is based on whether there is abnormal mobility (false motion) of the maxilla fragments following treatment.
- **Degree of open bite for malunion.** For malunion with displacement, the VA distinguishes between mild, moderate, and severe anterior or posterior open bite.

## Related Impairments Rated Separately

The VA separately evaluates certain related impairments and then combines them under **§ 4.25** for each separately rated condition. These include:

- Loss of vocal articulation
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Neurological impairment
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Other impairments (rated under the appropriate diagnostic code)

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