Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Across 2,328 real Board appeals for Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
64% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 14%
- Partly granted 26%
- Remanded 25%
- Denied 26%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was linked to service:
- Direct service connection737
- Reopened with new & material evidence66
- Secondary to another service-connected condition47
How it’s rated, in practice
When Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 100% (166)
- 70% (107)
- 50% (55)
- 10% (51)
- 30% (25)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- PACT Act20
- Gulf War18
- Burn pits & airborne hazards7
- Agent Orange / herbicides5
- Camp Lejeune water4
Real decisions
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic migraines secondary to the TBI, and peripheral vestibular disorder secondary to the TBI.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for behavioral residuals of a TBI, finding the evidence is at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's current TBI disability is related to his in-service fall.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder moderate and TBI was granted as of October 22, 2019.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for TBI residuals, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and headaches based on the evidence of record.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.