Loading condition outcomes…
Loading condition outcomes…
VA rating schedule, diagnostic code 8045
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is harm to the brain caused by an outside force, like a blast, fall, or blow to the head. The VA looks at three main areas of trouble that a TBI can cause: thinking problems (called cognitive impairment, such as trouble with memory, attention, and decision-making), emotional or behavioral problems, and physical problems. Because these problems are so different from person to person, the VA may rate each area separately and then combine them.
The VA rates TBI residuals under 38 CFR 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8045. Thinking problems and "subjective" symptoms that are not given their own separate diagnosis are scored using a special table of 10 "facets," with each facet rated from 0 up to a top level called "total." The percent rating is set by the single highest facet: a level of 0 = 0%, 1 = 10%, 2 = 40%, and 3 = 70%, while a "total" on even one facet means a 100% rating. Some residuals are handled differently: emotional or behavioral problems that meet the rules for a mental disorder are rated under the mental-disorders schedule (38 CFR 4.130), and physical residuals with their own clear diagnosis—like migraine headaches, seizures, or hearing loss—are rated under their own diagnostic codes and combined, as long as the same symptom is not counted twice.
There is also a helpful pathway for conditions that come after a TBI. Under 38 CFR 3.310(d), if a veteran has a service-connected TBI, certain later illnesses are treated as caused by that TBI unless there is clear evidence otherwise. These include Parkinsonism (such as Parkinson's disease) and unprovoked seizures after a moderate or severe TBI; certain dementias (Alzheimer-type presenile dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies) if they appear within 15 years of a moderate or severe TBI; depression if it appears within 3 years of a moderate or severe TBI or within 12 months of a mild TBI; and certain hormone-deficiency diseases within 12 months of a moderate or severe TBI. Even if these time limits or severity levels are not met, the VA may still review the claim under its general service-connection rules.
This is educational information about how the VA's rules generally work—it is not legal advice or a VA decision about any individual claim.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 14,659 real Board appeals for Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
Appeals with representation succeed more often. Find free (VSO) or accredited help →
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was linked to service:
In appeals where Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Veteran's chilblain and frostbite of the bilateral hand and fingers were granted service connection as they are related to his active military service.
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) has been granted service connection, with the in-service stressor involving a hit on the head during Octoberfest. Headaches have also been granted an initial 30 percent rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury and neck disability is pending as remanded issues.
The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.
The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, including unsteady gait, somnolence, and cognitive dysfunction. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements about in-service head injuries and subsequent seizures.
The Board granted entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) effective January 21, 2019, based on the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected TBI.
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often look at outcomes for these too:
We’ll send the free starter guide now, then a note when notable new Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Board decisions are added. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
We will only use this to send the guide and occasional updates for this condition. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.