Bruxism (habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth, typically during sleep) is claimable through DVA when caused or aggravated by service-related psychological conditions. It is most commonly associated with PTSD, anxiety, and high occupational stress.
Why Bruxism is common in the ADF
Service-related stress, PTSD, and anxiety are the primary psychological drivers of bruxism in veterans. The dental consequences, including tooth wear, fractures, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, can be significant.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Bruxism is not currently on the PAMT list. However, if your Bruxism is related to a mental health condition, you may be eligible for Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) — which provides funded mental health treatment without a liability determination. Speak to your GP about a DVA mental health referral.
Statement of Principles — in plain English
DVA assesses your claim against a Statement of Principles (SoP). Here are the key factors that most commonly apply to Bruxism claims, translated from the legal language.
Having PTSD, anxiety, or another stress-related condition from service
Accepted psychological condition with documented bruxism
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Bruxism often develop related conditions that may also be claimable. These are worth assessing at the same time as your primary claim.
What to expect for impairment points
Bruxism impairment is assessed based on severity of dental damage, TMJ involvement, and pain.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Bruxism claim looks like
Dentist or oral specialist report confirming diagnosis
Records linking bruxism to service-related psychological conditions
DVA currently takes 3–6 months to decide most initial liability claims. Complex or multi-condition claims can take longer. Lodging a complete, decision-ready claim upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Processing times guideCommon questions about Bruxism claims
Ready to claim Bruxism?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through whether your condition meets the SoP factors, what evidence you need, and how to build a decision-ready claim.
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