Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) (DC 8045) | VA Rating Tool
| Diagnostic Code | 8045 |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological Conditions And Convulsive Disorders |
| Subcategory | Spinal Cord, New Growths |
| Also Known As | head injury, tbi, traumatic brain injury, Traumatic brain injury residuals, concussion, brain injury, blast injury, IED, memory loss, brain fog, cognitive issues, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injury residuals |
| CFR Section | 38 CFR § 4.124a |
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
TBI has a unique rating system with 10 facets evaluated separately. The most common combined rating is around 40%. TBI can also qualify for secondary conditions including migraines, PTSD, vision problems, and cognitive issues.
Next Steps for This Condition
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total impairment under the TBI residuals table |
| 70% | Facet level 3 impairment under the TBI residuals table |
| 40% | Facet level 2 impairment under the TBI residuals table |
| 10% | Facet level 1 impairment under the TBI residuals table |
| 0% | Facet level 0 impairment under the TBI residuals table |
Conditions Secondary to This
8 linksTBI directly affects brain chemistry and mood regulation.
Post-traumatic headaches are one of the most common TBI sequelae.
The traumatic event causing TBI frequently also causes PTSD.
TBI increases the risk of post-traumatic epilepsy and seizures.
TBI can cause lasting cognitive impairment.
TBI can damage visual processing pathways and lead to chronic vision problems.
TBI can cause neurological changes that affect breathing during sleep.
Blast injuries that cause TBI also frequently damage hearing and worsen tinnitus.
This May Be Secondary To
2 linksSeizures can worsen or be caused by TBI — bidirectional
Sleep apnea worsens TBI recovery and cognitive symptoms.
Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.