Claiming Malignant Dental / Oral Neoplasm?
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VA Rating Tiers
100%
active treatment
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›100%: Active malignant oral/dental neoplasm — rated 100% during active treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy). DC 9918.
- ›0%: Malignant neoplasm in remission — rated on residuals; functional impairment rated under applicable DC after treatment ends.
- ›DC 9918: Malignant oral/dental neoplasm.
- ›100% rating during active treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy).
- ›After treatment, rated on residuals — file separate claims for specific residuals (jaw bone loss, limited opening, ORN, etc.).
- ›PACT Act presumptives may apply for qualifying veterans (burn pit exposure, etc.).
- ›Agent Orange presumptive applies to specific cancers for qualifying veterans.
- ›Always file for every residual condition separately — they add to your combined rating.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 9918 — malignant oral/dental neoplasm; rated at 100% during active cancer treatment.
- •After treatment stabilization, rated on residuals (e.g., jaw bone loss, limited opening, speech problems).
- •Service connection may be established through environmental exposure (Agent Orange, toxic exposure), asbestos, or other recognized service-connected pathways.
- •Presumptive service connection may apply for certain cancers in eligible veterans (Camp Lejeune, burn pit exposure under PACT Act, etc.).
- •A cancer diagnosis alone does not guarantee service connection — nexus to service is required unless a presumptive applies.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •records of toxic chemical, radiation, or carcinogen exposure during service
- •deployment records to areas with known carcinogen exposure (e.g., burn pits, Agent Orange)
- •records of radiation exposure during service (Camp Lejeune, nuclear test sites)
Medical Evidence
- •pathology report confirming malignant diagnosis
- •oncology treatment records (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy)
- •imaging (CT, PET scan, MRI) documenting cancer
- •current residual limitation records (post-treatment jaw bone loss, limited opening)
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing service exposure and cancer diagnosis
- •buddy statement confirming exposure to carcinogens during service
Diagnostic Tests
- •biopsy and pathology confirming malignancy
- •CT scan, MRI, or PET scan for staging
- •panoramic X-ray and dental imaging
- •oncology evaluation
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Oral Medicine / Oncology — Malignant Oral Neoplasm
Be ready to describe
- •service exposure that caused or contributed to the cancer
- •cancer type, staging, and all treatments received
- •current cancer status — remission, active, or recurrent
- •all residual limitations — jaw, speech, swallowing, pain, disfigurement
Prep notes
- •Bring your pathology report and all oncology treatment records.
- •Bring imaging (CT, PET, or MRI) from staging and most recent follow-up.
- •Bring documentation of any service exposure (burn pit registry, deployment records).
- •File SEPARATE claims for each residual (jaw bone loss, ORN, limited opening, tooth loss, etc.) — each can generate additional rating.
- •If currently in active treatment, your rating will be 100% — documentation of treatment is sufficient.
- •Describe every limitation — do not minimize your symptoms.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 9918
- Category
- Dental / Oral
- Subcategory
- Oral Neoplasm
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 100%
Also Known As
oral cancerjaw cancermouth cancermalignant oral tumorsquamous cell carcinoma oraloral squamous cell carcinomaoral cavity cancerlip cancertongue cancergum cancersalivary gland canceroropharyngeal cancermalignant dental tumor
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