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VA Disability for Traumatic Brain Injury

Your Brain Injury May Have Lasting Effects.

A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, concentration, balance, sleep, communication, mood, and everyday functioning. If you suffered a concussion, blast injury, head trauma, or another TBI during military service and continue to experience residual symptoms, you may be entitled to VA disability compensation.
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VA Disability Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden bump, blow, or jolt to the head changes the way the brain works. VA explains that TBI can range from mild to severe and may affect how a Veteran thinks, feels, acts, and moves.

For Veterans, TBI may result from blast exposure, vehicle accidents, falls, training accidents, direct blows to the head, combat-related trauma, or other events involving sudden acceleration, deceleration, or impact.

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TBI can affect more than your memory.

TBI symptoms vary from Veteran to Veteran. VA describes physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and functional effects.
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Memory & Concentration

Memory loss, slowed thinking, difficulty focusing, trouble organizing tasks, confusion, and problems finding words can occur after TBI.

Headaches, Dizziness & Balance

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, balance problems, vision problems, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound may occur.

How can a TBI be connected to Military Service?

For a direct service-connection claim, VA generally looks for evidence of a current disability, an in-service event, injury, or disease, and a relationship between the current condition and service.

Establish What Happened

Service records, incident documentation, deployment history, treatment records, and supporting statements may help establish a head injury, blast, accident, or other event.

Document What Remains

Medical evidence can document current headaches, cognitive problems, balance issues, sleep problems, sensory symptoms, or other TBI residuals.

Establish the Relationship

The evidence must establish the required relationship between the current disability or residuals and qualifying service.
VA Disability Eligibility
When Should You File a PTSD or Mental Health Claim

Building Evidence for a TBI VA Claim

TBI claims can be challenging because symptoms may change over time and some TBI symptoms can overlap with PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, headaches, or other conditions. VA notes that TBI and PTSD can occur together and that overlapping symptoms may require careful clinical evaluation.

Medical Evidence

  • VA and private treatment records
  • TBI clinic evaluations
  • Neurology records
  • Neuropsychological or cognitive testing
  • Headache treatment records
  • Vestibular or balance evaluations
  • Rehabilitation records
  • Medical opinions when appropriate

Military & Supporting Evidence

  • Service treatment records
  • Personnel and deployment records
  • Incident or accident reports
  • Combat documentation
  • Evidence of blast exposure
  • Statements from fellow service members
  • Statements from family members
  • Statements describing changes in memory, behavior, communication, or daily functioning
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How does VA Rate Traumatic Brain Injury?

VA evaluates TBI residuals under Diagnostic Code 8045. The framework addresses cognitive, emotional/behavioral, and physical dysfunction. Cognitive impairment and subjective symptoms are evaluated using specific facets, with the highest applicable level generally controlling the evaluation under the TBI table.
Facet What VA Evaluates
01 Memory, attention, concentration, and executive functions
02 Judgment
03 Social interaction
04 Orientation
05 Motor activity
06 Visual-spatial orientation
07 Subjective symptoms
08 Neurobehavioral effects
09 Communication
10 Consciousness
Headaches Can Be an Important TBI Residual.
Headaches are among the symptoms VA identifies following TBI. Depending on the medical evidence and applicable VA criteria, a headache disorder may involve rating considerations separate from the cognitive or subjective-symptom facets of TBI.
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Document the Pattern
Frequency, duration, severity, treatment, and functional effects can help provide a clearer medical history of recurring headaches.

Consider the Complete Picture
The evidence should identify whether headaches are a TBI residual or a separately diagnosed condition and how they affect daily functioning.

TBI and PTSD Can Exist Together.

TBI and PTSD are different conditions, but they can result from the same event and may share symptoms such as sleep problems, irritability, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating or remembering. VA explains that providers may need to determine whether symptoms are related to TBI, PTSD, or both.

01 / SERVICE

Brain Injury Residuals

May involve cognitive, physical, sensory, communication, or neurobehavioral symptoms associated with the brain injury.

02 / CONDITION

Psychological Trauma

May result from the same event or another traumatic experience and is evaluated under applicable mental-health criteria.

03 / ELIGIBILITY

Overlapping Symptoms

When symptoms overlap, medical evidence and VA rating rules determine how the manifestations are evaluated.

What If Your TBI Claim Was Denied?

A denial may involve questions about whether the injury occurred, whether current residuals exist, whether symptoms are connected to the injury, or whether the examination and evidence adequately addressed the claim.

Supplemental Claim

May be appropriate when new and relevant evidence is available.

Higher-Level Review

May be available when you believe VA made an error based on the evidence already in the record.

Board Appeal

Depending on the decision, a Veteran may request review by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
VA Appeals & Decision Reviews
Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury

What Happens During a VA TBI Examination?

A TBI examination may address the history of the injury and current residual symptoms. Evaluation may consider cognitive functioning, memory, attention, judgment, orientation, social interaction, motor activity, visual-spatial functioning, communication, neurobehavioral effects, subjective symptoms, and consciousness.

Explain the Injury

Describe what happened, when it happened, whether there was a blast or impact, and what symptoms followed.
Review Your Evidence

Describe What You Experience Today

Explain memory problems, headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, concentration issues, mood changes, balance problems, and other current symptoms.

Explain the Impact on Daily Life

Describe how the condition affects work, relationships, communication, driving, household responsibilities, and ordinary activities.

RLGVA Look Beyond the Initial Injury.

A TBI claim is not simply about proving that a head injury happened. The evidence should explain the injury, current residuals, severity, and effect on daily life.
Review Your Military & Medical History
We examine service records, injury history, treatment records, prior VA decisions, and documented TBI residuals.

Evaluate the Evidence
We identify evidence relevant to service connection, TBI facets, overlapping conditions, secondary claims, and rating issues.

Pursue the Appropriate VA Benefit
Whether filing a claim, seeking an increased evaluation, or challenging a VA decision, we help you understand your legal options and process.

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Your Service May Have Exposed You To More Than You Realized.
If you developed a health condition after military service and believe toxic exposure may be involved, RLGVA can help you understand the VA disability options available under the applicable rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about TBI VA Claim

Can I receive VA disability for a concussion?

Potentially. A concussion is commonly associated with mild TBI. Whether compensation is available depends on evidence establishing service connection and current residuals.

Can I have a TBI even if I was never knocked unconscious?

Yes. A TBI can result from a blow or jolt to the head or certain blast exposures without prolonged loss of consciousness.

Can I receive VA disability for TBI and PTSD?

Potentially. TBI and PTSD are distinct conditions, although symptoms can overlap. Medical evaluation may be needed to determine whether symptoms are associated with TBI, PTSD, or both.

Can headaches be related to TBI?

Yes. Headaches are a recognized symptom following TBI. The appropriate evaluation depends on the medical evidence and applicable VA criteria.

Does a mild TBI automatically mean a 10% VA rating?

No. The original classification does not automatically establish the current VA percentage. Current residual impairment and applicable rating criteria control.

Can TBI affect my ability to work?

It can. Cognitive problems, headaches, fatigue, communication difficulties, behavioral changes, and other residuals may affect employment. TDIU may also need to be considered when service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.