Traumatic Brain Injury is among the most challenging VA disability claims — not because the condition isn’t recognized, but because the rating system is uniquely complex. Understanding how the VA rates TBI is the first step to getting what you’ve earned.
The 10 Facets of TBI Rating
The VA evaluates TBI across 10 domains: memory, attention and concentration, executive functions, judgment, social interaction, orientation, motor activity, visual spatial orientation, subjective symptoms, and neurobehavioral effects. Each facet is rated on a 0–5 scale based on severity. Your overall TBI rating is based on the single facet with the highest score — not an average.
This means if you have severe memory impairment but mild deficits in other areas, your rating reflects the severe memory impairment. That’s different from how most VA conditions work, and it’s critical to understand when preparing your claim.
TBI Rating Percentages
The combined facet scores translate to disability percentages: 0% (no objective neurological abnormalities), 10% (subjective symptoms only), 40% (moderate level of impairment in most facets), 70% (severe impairment across most facets), or 100% (total impairment). The specific threshold for each percentage is defined in the rating schedule and requires careful documentation.
Secondary Conditions Are Critical
TBI frequently causes secondary conditions that can be rated separately: PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, headaches/migraines, and seizures. These secondary conditions are often where veterans build their combined rating toward 70% or 100%. Get each secondary condition documented and service-connected separately — don’t let them be subsumed into the TBI rating if they can stand alone.
The C&P Exam for TBI
TBI C&P exams require a qualified examiner — often a neurologist or neuropsychologist. The exam will assess all 10 facets. Before your exam, compile specific examples of how each facet affects your daily life. “I get confused in new places” is less useful than “I got lost driving to a store I’d been to 20 times and had to call my wife to find me.”
Can TBI and PTSD both be rated?
Yes — TBI and PTSD are separate conditions and can be rated independently, as long as overlapping symptoms aren’t double-counted. Many veterans carry both ratings, which can combine toward 100% or qualify for TDIU.
Does TBI automatically qualify for 100%?
Not automatically. 100% requires total impairment in nearly all facets. However, TBI combined with secondary conditions like PTSD, sleep apnea, and migraines can combine to reach 100% or qualify for TDIU even if TBI alone rates lower.
What records help a TBI claim?
Service treatment records documenting the injury event, VA or private neuropsychological testing, buddy statements describing behavioral changes before and after injury, and any records of medical treatment received in theater or immediately post-deployment.