Citation Nr: 18143607 Decision Date: 10/19/18 Archive Date: 10/19/18 DOCKET NO. 16-30 692 DATE: October 19, 2018 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for a dental disability is denied. REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a noncompensable dental disability for the purpose of obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.161 is remanded. FINDING OF FACT The preponderance of the evidence of record is against finding that the Veteran has, or has had at any time during the appeal, a current diagnosis of a compensable dental disability. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for a dental disability are not met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303(a). REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from August 1969 to March 1971 in the United States Army. Because a claim for service connection for a dental condition for purposes of compensation must also be considered to be a claim for service connection for a dental disability for purposes of VA outpatient dental treatment, the Board has recharacterized the issues as stated above. See Mays v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 302 (1993). 1. Entitlement to service connection for a dental condition The Veteran contends that he has developed a compensable dental condition as a result of in-service filings that were done incorrectly. Service connection may be awarded for missing teeth due to dental trauma or bone loss in service. Treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are considered non-disabling conditions and may be considered service-connected solely for the purpose of determining entitlement to VA dental examination or outpatient dental treatment. See 38 U.S.C. § 1712; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.381, 17.161. Woodson v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 352 (1995). To establish entitlement to service connection for loss of a tooth, the veteran must have sustained a combat wound or other in-service trauma. 38 U.S.C. § 1712; 38 C.F.R. § 3.381 (b). The Board concludes that service connection is not warranted for a dental disorder for compensation purposes. Service connection for compensation purposes is only warranted for certain dental conditions. Specifically, dental disabilities that may be awarded compensable disability ratings are set forth under 38 C.F.R. § 4.150. These disabilities include chronic osteomyelitis or osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla or mandible, loss of the mandible, nonunion or malunion of the mandible, limited temporomandibular motion, loss of the ramus, loss of the condyloid or coronoid processes, loss of the hard palate, loss of teeth due to the loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible and where the lost masticatory surface cannot be restored by suitable prosthesis, when the bone loss is a result of trauma or disease but not the result of periodontal disease. 38 C.F.R. § 4.150, Diagnostic Codes 9900-9916. The Veteran’s contention is that he is entitled to VA compensation for the subsequent post-service dental issues attributable to in-service filings that had to be removed. His post-service dental treatments confirm treatment for dental issues to include removal and loss of teeth. However, the Veteran’s service treatment records do not demonstrate any trauma to the jaw or hard palate and the Veteran has not alleged that his loss of teeth is due to bone loss of the body of maxilla or mandible due to any trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis. Therefore, service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is not warranted. REASONS FOR REMAND Entitlement to service connection for a noncompensable dental disability for the purpose of obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.161. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder for treatment purposes has not yet been addressed by the RO or any VA dental clinic. In the September 2014 rating action on appeal, the RO suggested the Veteran contact the VA Medical Center for a determination as to whether he is eligible for dental treatment. The Veteran’s claim of service connection for a dental condition for purposes of compensation is also a claim for service connection for a dental disability for purposes of VA outpatient dental treatment. Mays, 5 Vet. App. at 302. The Veteran’s claim must be adjudicated. Accordingly, the claim for entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder for treatment purposes must be remanded so that it can be addressed in the first instance by a VA dental clinic.   The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Refer the claim of service connection for dental treatment for to VHA for a determination. M.E. Larkin Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD P.S. McLeod