The tongue is a muscular organ; partly in the mouth and partly in the pharynx. Its function is to assist in manipulating food in the chewing and swallowing processes, and to assist in speech production and taste.

Tongue loss (whole or part) may affect any or all of the aforementioned processes.

Tumors of the tongue may lead to a loss of part or all of the tongue. Some additional causes of the condition may include cigarette smoking; motor accidents; tongue biting; and gunshot wounds of the mouth.

Tumors at the base of the tongue may result in decreased tongue movement and altered speech. Some signs and symptoms of advanced cancer of the tongue may include pain when swallowing; airway obstruction; swollen lymph nodes in the neck; and spasm of the chewing muscles (trismus). The depth of a laceration due to injury will determine the need for suturing. A loss of tongue function will affect chewing, swallowing and taste.

Diagnostic measures include biopsy of suspicious tumors. Tongue lacerations that include the area of the salivary ducts should have the duct patency evaluated.

Depending on the cause of the loss, treatment choices include: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments. Significant oral lacerations and all through-and-through tongue lacerations are considered to be contaminated wounds, and may benefit from oral antibiotic therapy. In addition, wound care should include rinsing of the mouth several times a day.

Deep tongue lacerations, if not surgically repaired, may result in a permanent cleft or fissure that collects food particles and causes discomfort. Abundant scar tissue may inhibit tongue function. Most cancers, even with extensive treatment, recur within two years and result in death.

• May be entitled to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350(a) for complete organic aphoria with constant inability to communicate by speech.

• May be entitled to special monthly compensation where the Veteran has a single service-connected disability rated as 100% with additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more, which are separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability and involves different anatomical segments or bodily systems. See  38 CFR 3.350(i)(1) – Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

Notes

• None.