{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/temporomandibular-joint-tmj-disorder","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:23.583Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Temporomandibular joint (tmj) disorder","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2364,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":21.5,"denied_pct":34.3,"remanded_pct":42.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":38.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":152,"granted_pct":13.2,"denied_pct":35.5,"remanded_pct":42.8},{"year":2018,"issues":228,"granted_pct":18,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":43.4},{"year":2019,"issues":258,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":35.3,"remanded_pct":42.2},{"year":2020,"issues":267,"granted_pct":19.5,"denied_pct":36.3,"remanded_pct":43.1},{"year":2021,"issues":247,"granted_pct":17.8,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":44.9},{"year":2022,"issues":242,"granted_pct":20.2,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":44.6},{"year":2023,"issues":309,"granted_pct":21,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":48.5},{"year":2024,"issues":307,"granted_pct":21.5,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":40.7},{"year":2025,"issues":321,"granted_pct":26.5,"denied_pct":38.9,"remanded_pct":33.6},{"year":2026,"issues":153,"granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":34.6,"remanded_pct":30.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":63.6,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":347,"granted_pct_with":66.4,"granted_pct_without":31.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1726,"granted_pct_with":37.3,"granted_pct_without":43},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":375,"granted_pct_with":72.4,"granted_pct_without":29.2},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1036,"granted_pct_with":40.6,"granted_pct_without":36.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":664,"granted_pct_with":51,"granted_pct_without":32.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":99,"granted_pct_with":58.6,"granted_pct_without":37.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1927,"granted_pct_with":39.5,"granted_pct_without":33.2},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":76,"granted_pct_with":63.9,"granted_pct_without":37.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":111,"granted_pct_with":53.4,"granted_pct_without":37.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":66},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":21},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":9},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":8},{"reason":"criteria for 10 percent rating met","decisions":4},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":89},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":69},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":44},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":35},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":31},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":28}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039967","year":2026,"judge":"ANN K. MINAMI","rationale":"Criteria for service connection met."},{"case_id":"A26040178","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Interincisal range of 21-29 mm.; Dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods.; 30% rating criteria met."},{"case_id":"26005011","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Benefit of the doubt afforded for 20% rating from Dec 19, 2019; Prior version of DC 9905 applied; Limitations did not warrant higher rating"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040525","year":2026,"judge":"R. CASADEI","rationale":"No evidence VA recommended private dental procedure; No evidence VA care proximately caused disability; Private care under contract excluded from § 1151 benefits"},{"case_id":"26005011","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Evidence weighed against claim for higher rating prior to Dec 19, 2019; Limitations did not meet criteria for higher rating under prior DC 9905; No basis for higher rating based on pain or other symptoms"},{"case_id":"A26038721","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID L. WIGHT","rationale":"Evidence did not support rating higher than 20 percent; Interincisal range and lateral excursion measurements did not meet higher criteria; No physician-recorded or verified texture-modified diet"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}