VA Dental Benefits and Disability Ratings For Teeth

VA Dental Benefits and Ratings for Teeth

 – MATT SAUERWALD, VICE-PRESIDENT, VETERANS HELP GROUP

Matt Sauerwald has spent years dedicating his time to Veterans who are seeking help with their VA disability benefits. Matt has proudly represented thousands of veterans with his expert knowledge of the VA disability application process and the Veterans Administration. Today, Matt will dive deep into explaining the VA Dental Benefits and their ratings.

VA dental care can range from routine cleanings to major reconstructive surgery, depending on a veteran’s eligibility class. Conditions affecting your teeth, gums, or jaw may qualify as disabilities if they impair your quality of life.

Common dental-related disabilities include tooth loss, decay, jaw injuries, periodontal disease, and other orofacial conditions.

VA Disability Ratings for Dental Conditions

The VA considers tooth loss non-ratable unless teeth were lost due to injury, combat trauma, or certain diseases, not natural aging. If teeth can be replaced with dentures or prosthetics, the condition is rated at 0%.

If teeth cannot be replaced:

• 40% – All teeth missing
• 30% – All upper or all lower teeth missing
• 20% – All upper & lower posterior OR all upper & lower anterior teeth missing
• 10% – All upper anterior OR all lower anterior teeth missing, OR all teeth missing on one side

Dental Benefits Available to Veterans

Depending on eligibility class, veterans may receive:

• Routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays
• Fillings, crowns, and bridges
• Dentures and restorative treatment
• Oral and facial surgery
• Surgery related to trauma or serious illness

Disabled Veteran Dental Benefits Eligibility

The amount of VA dental benefits a veteran will receive differs depending on several factors. The VA categorizes the eligibility for dental benefits into different classes, and each class determines the extent of dental benefits.

• Class I –  Veterans with a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition are eligible for any dental care needed.
• Class II – Veterans who apply for dental care within 180 days of their discharge or release from military service, who are discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, and who served on active duty for 90 or more days during the Persian Gulf War era are eligible to receive one-time dental care if their DD214 does not indicate that a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental treatment had been completed before discharge.
• Class IIA – Veterans who have a non-compensable service-connected dental condition or a dental disability that resulted from wounds in combat or service-connected trauma can receive any dental care necessary to provide and maintain a functioning dentition.
• Class IIB – Veterans who are enrolled and may be homeless and receive care under VHA Directive 2007-039 can receive a one-time course of dental care that is determined necessary to relieve pain, gain employment, or treat gingival and periodontal conditions.
• Class IIC – Former Prisoners of War are eligible to receive any needed dental care.
• Class III – Veterans who have a dental condition that the VA has clinically determined to be associated with an aggravating service-connected medical condition can receive dental care to treat the oral conditions that are determined by a VA dental professional to have a direct and material detrimental effect on the service-connected medical condition.
• Class IV – Veterans who have a service-connected condition rated at 100% disabling or receive TDIU due to their service-connected condition(s) can receive any needed dental care.
• Class V – Veterans who are actively engaged in a VA vocational rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C Chapter 31 can receive dental care to the extent necessary as determined by a VA dental professional to:
  • Make a veteran’s entrance into the rehabilitation program possible
  • Achieve one of the veteran’s vocational rehabilitation goals
  • Prevent the veteran’s vocational rehabilitation program from being interrupted
  • Hasten a veteran’s return to a vocational rehabilitation program who has been placed in a discontinued status due to illness, injury, or dental condition
  • Enables a veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living or to secure and adjust to employment
• Class VI – Veterans who are receiving VA care or are scheduled for inpatient care and who require dental care for a condition complicating a medical condition currently under treatment are eligible for dental care to treat the oral conditions that complicate the medical condition under treatment.

FAQ

Can VA disability cover dental work?
Yes, depending on your eligibility class, you may qualify for full or limited dental treatment.

What dental issues qualify for VA disability ratings?
Tooth loss, jaw injuries, periodontal disease, and oral trauma may qualify if related to service and not replaceable with prosthetics.

Can I get VA dental care without a service-connected dental rating?
Yes, some classes provide eligibility based on homelessness, POW status, medical needs, or rehabilitation programs.

What To Do Next?

Veterans Help Group has been supporting veterans since 1995. If you suffer from dental conditions and believe you may qualify for VA disability benefits, we’re here to help.

Call 855-855-8992 or complete our free veterans benefits case evaluation form.

Read More Here:

• VA Disability Benefits For Bruxism: Secondary Service Connection
• New VA Dental Insurance 
• How To Speed Up Your VA Disability Claim
• How To Apply For VA Disability Benefits
• Most Commonly Approved VA Disability Claims