Wide opening of the mouth

Dislocation - Wide opening of the mouth Factor

The Statement of Principles requirements here only apply to dislocation of the temporomandibular joint.

The factor for both standards of proof requires undergoing an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of dislocation.

The RMA defines "an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth" to mean an activity in which an active force imposes undue tension on the temporomandibular joint capsular ligaments, and includes dental procedures, vomiting and coughing.

You will therefore need to that the activity would have imposed an undue tension on the temporomandibular joint capsular ligaments before considering if the activity is service related.  Seek medical advice if it is not clear if the activity meets these requirements.

Last reviewed for CCPS 27 September 2014.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [42308]

42291 there is some evidence that undergoing an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth may be a factor in the development of dislocation.

42282 the veteran has a dislocation of the temporomandibular joint.

42292 the veteran has undergone an activity that involved wide opening of the mouth at some time.

42294  the veteran has established the causal connection between undergoing an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth and VEA service for the clinical onset of dislocation.

42295   the veteran has established the causal connection between undergoing an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth and operational service for the clinical onset of dislocation.

or

42296   the veteran has established the causal connection between undergoing an activity that involves wide opening of the mouth and eligible service for the clinical onset of dislocation.

Clinical onset and operational service [42295]

42297 on operational service, the veteran undertook an activity that involved wide opening of the mouth.

42298 on operational service, the veteran undertook the activity that involved wide opening of the mouth, at the time of clinical onset of the dislocation.

42299 the activity that involved wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of the dislocation, on operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

42300 the veteran undertook the activity involving wide opening of the mouth due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

42301 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran undertook the activity involving wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of dislocation.

42302  the identified illness or injury, for which the veteran undertook an activity involving wide opening of the mouth, is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [42296]

42303 on eligible service, the veteran undertook an activity that involved wide opening of the mouth.

42304 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran undertook the activity that involved wide opening of the mouth.

42305 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran undertook the activity that involved wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of dislocation.

42306 the activity that involved wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of the dislocation, on eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

42300 the veteran undertook the activity involving wide opening of the mouth due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

42301 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran undertook the activity involving wide opening of the mouth at the time of the clinical onset of dislocation.

42307  the identified illness or injury, for which the veteran undertook an activity involving wide opening of the mouth, is causally related to eligible service.