A broken lower jawbone that healed in an incorrect position, causing misalignment or deformity.
Diagnostic imaging is central to this rating. VA recognizes conventional X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, radionuclide bone scans, and ultrasonography as acceptable imaging studies. These images can show how the mandible healed and the degree of bony displacement.
A dental or medical examination that documents the presence and character of an open bite — whether anterior (front of the mouth) or posterior (back of the mouth) — and describes it as moderate or severe directly ties to the 10% and 20% rating levels. Records noting that displacement exists without any resulting open bite support the 0% level.
Statements from you or treating providers describing difficulty biting, chewing, or closing your mouth can help show the functional impact. Treatment records, surgical notes from the original fracture care, and follow-up dental or oral surgery notes that track how the jaw healed over time can all help establish the degree of displacement and any resulting open bite.
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.
