Loss of half or less of the upper jawbone, which forms the upper jaw and supports the upper teeth.
Diagnostic imaging is central to showing how much of the maxilla was lost. VA recognizes several types: conventional X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, radionuclide bone scans, and ultrasound. Records showing the extent of surgical removal or bone loss — such as operative reports, pathology reports, and imaging studies — help establish whether the loss falls below 25 percent or between 25 and 50 percent.
Evidence about whether a prosthesis can replace the lost tissue matters just as much. Treatment records, dental or maxillofacial specialist notes, and prosthetic fitting records can show whether a prosthesis was attempted, prescribed, or deemed not feasible for your situation.
If you also experience changes in speech, smell, taste, nerve function, or breathing as a result of the jaw loss, records documenting those problems support separate ratings for each. Statements from you or people who know you about how daily activities — eating, speaking, and breathing — are affected can add important context to the clinical findings.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
