Dental

[jan]

If you are in basic and they pull all your lower teeth including the good ones why can't they

take care of you after you get out of the service. Most are very niave in basic and do what

you are told and ask no questions but suffer years later. Any answers other than the double

talk of the 38 reg or is still s/c.

jan

[Ron II]

You might want to review the following:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp03/Files/0315507.txt

Part of the summary:

A September 1975 dental rating decision noted that teeth #s

3, 5, 19, and 20 were extracted 4 months after induction.

Tooth #14 was noted to have been extracted later. Reasonable

doubt was resolved in the veteran's favor and service

connection was granted for the missing teeth, for treatment

purposes only. The decision specifically stated that there

was no dental trauma noted in service.

Criteria

The statutory presumption of soundness of condition at the

time of entrance into active service will not be applicable

in cases of dental conditions not disabling to a compensable

degree. Treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth,

dental or alveolar abscesses, periodontal disease (pyorrhea),

and Vincent's stomatitis are not disabling conditions, and

may be considered service-connected solely for the purpose of

determining entitlement to dental examinations or outpatient

dental treatment under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 17.161.

38 C.F.R. § 3.381(a). Each missing or defective tooth and

each disease of the investing tissues will be considered

separately in determining service-connection. A separate

rating is required for dental trauma, even if service-

connection has been granted for numerous teeth. 38 C.F.R.

§ 3.381(:).

In determining service-connection, the condition of teeth and

periodontal tissues at the time of entry into active duty

will be considered. Treatment during service, including

filling or extraction of a tooth, or placement of a

prosthesis, will not be considered evidence of aggravation of

a condition that was noted on entry, unless additional

pathology developed after 180 days or more of active service.

38 C.F.R. § 3.381©.