TBI VA Rating 2026 — Mild, Moderate, and Severe Ratings Explained

Traumatic brain injury is one of the most complex conditions to rate in the entire VA disability system. Unlike a knee or a shoulder where the VA looks at range of motion and assigns a number, TBI gets evaluated across 10 separate facets of cognitive, emotional, and physical function. Each facet is scored independently, and the way those scores translate into a final rating is unlike anything else in the rating schedule.

If you served in Iraq or Afghanistan, there's a decent chance you were exposed to blast events. Even if you never lost consciousness, sub-concussive exposures can produce lasting TBI symptoms. The VA has gotten better at recognizing this, but the rating process is still confusing. Let's break down exactly how it works.

How the VA Rates TBI: Diagnostic Code 8045

TBI is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8045 in the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Unlike most conditions where higher percentages simply mean worse symptoms on a linear scale, TBI uses a facet-based system. The VA evaluates 10 distinct areas of function, and the highest-rated facet determines your overall TBI evaluation.

The possible rating levels for TBI under DC 8045 are 0%, 10%, 40%, 70%, or 100%. Notice there are no 20%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 80%, or 90% ratings available for TBI itself. You jump from 10% straight to 40%, and from 40% to 70%. This makes each threshold especially important.

The 10 Facets of TBI Rating

Each facet is rated on a severity scale (typically 0 to 3, though some facets go higher). Here's what the VA evaluates:

1. Memory, Attention, Concentration, and Executive Functions

This is often the most impactful facet. The VA looks at whether you can remember instructions, stay focused on tasks, handle multiple demands, and plan ahead. A level 1 rating means mild impairment with complaints of memory problems but objective testing is normal. Level 2 means moderate impairment visible on objective testing. Level 3 means severe impairment that significantly impacts daily functioning. Level "total" means you can't perform any of these functions.

2. Judgment

Can you make reasonable decisions? At level 0, judgment is normal. At level 1, you show mildly impaired judgment with occasional inappropriate decisions. At level 2, moderately impaired judgment means you routinely make poor decisions. Level 3 means severely impaired judgment to the point where you're a danger to yourself or others.

3. Social Interaction

This facet measures whether you can interact appropriately with family, coworkers, and the public. Irritability, social withdrawal, and inappropriate behavior all factor in. Levels range from normal interaction to being completely unable to engage socially.

4. Orientation

Do you know where you are, what day it is, and who the people around you are? Mild disorientation (occasionally confused about time) scores differently than being consistently disoriented to person, place, and time.

5. Motor Activity

This covers coordination, balance, and the ability to perform physical tasks. TBI can cause fine motor skill degradation, tremors, and balance problems that affect your ability to carry out routine activities.

6. Visual-Spatial Orientation

Can you navigate familiar and unfamiliar environments? Do you get lost easily? This facet evaluates your ability to understand spatial relationships and find your way around.

7. Subjective Symptoms

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sensitivity to light and noise, sleep disturbance, and other symptoms you report. At level 0, there are no subjective symptoms. At level 1, symptoms don't interfere with work or daily life. Level 2 means symptoms occasionally interfere. At level 3 and above, symptoms frequently or constantly interfere with your ability to function.

8. Neurobehavioral Effects

Irritability, impulsivity, aggression, mood swings, lack of motivation, and personality changes. This is where TBI and PTSD symptoms overlap the most, and it's a frequent source of rating disputes.

9. Communication

Can you express yourself clearly and understand others? TBI can affect word-finding ability, comprehension of complex conversations, and the ability to communicate in writing.

10. Consciousness

This facet addresses whether you experience altered states of consciousness, including persistent vegetative state or coma. For most veterans with TBI, this facet is rated at level 0 (normal).

How Facet Scores Translate to Ratings

Here's the key: the highest single facet score determines your overall TBI rating. The translation works like this:

• All facets at 0: 0% rating
• Highest facet at 1: 10% rating
• Highest facet at 2: 40% rating
• Highest facet at 3: 70% rating
• Highest facet at "total": 100% rating

So if nine of your facets are at level 0 but one facet is at level 3, you get a 70% TBI rating. The system is designed to capture the fact that severe impairment in even one area of brain function can be profoundly disabling.

TBI Severity: Mild, Moderate, and Severe

The VA classifies the initial TBI event by severity, which helps establish service connection but doesn't directly determine the rating. What matters for your rating is your current symptom level.

Mild TBI (Concussion)

Loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, or no LOC at all. Post-traumatic amnesia lasting less than 24 hours. Alteration of consciousness (feeling dazed or confused) immediately after the event. Mild TBI is the most common form among veterans, particularly from blast exposure. Despite being called "mild," many veterans develop persistent post-concussive symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning. Mild TBI can still receive a 70% or even 100% rating if residual symptoms are severe enough.

Moderate TBI

Loss of consciousness lasting 30 minutes to 24 hours. Post-traumatic amnesia lasting 1 to 7 days. These injuries typically produce more pronounced cognitive deficits and longer recovery times.

Severe TBI

Loss of consciousness exceeding 24 hours. Post-traumatic amnesia lasting more than 7 days. Penetrating head injuries. Severe TBI often results in permanent cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments. Ratings of 70% to 100% are common for severe TBI.

TBI and PTSD: The Pyramiding Problem

Here's where things get complicated. A huge number of veterans have both TBI and PTSD, and many symptoms overlap. Irritability, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, mood swings—these could come from either condition. The VA's anti-pyramiding rule (38 CFR 4.14) says you can't be compensated twice for the same symptom.

So how does the VA handle it? Under the current rules:

• Emotional and behavioral symptoms that overlap between TBI and PTSD are rated under whichever diagnosis produces the higher evaluation. You don't get to double-dip on irritability, for example.
• Cognitive symptoms unique to TBI (like disorientation, impaired judgment, or motor activity problems) can be rated separately under DC 8045.
• Physical symptoms of TBI (headaches, balance problems, seizures) can be rated separately under their own diagnostic codes.

In practice, many veterans end up with a PTSD rating of 70% for the emotional and behavioral symptoms, plus a separate 10% or 40% TBI rating for the cognitive and physical symptoms that don't overlap. The key is clearly documenting which symptoms belong to which condition.

Common TBI Secondary Conditions

TBI frequently causes or aggravates other conditions that can be rated separately through secondary service connection:

• Migraines: Rated under DC 8100 at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50%. Post-traumatic headaches are one of the most common TBI residuals.
• Seizures: Rated under DC 8910-8914 depending on type. Even a single documented post-traumatic seizure can establish service connection.
• Tinnitus: Rated at 10% under DC 6260. Blast exposure commonly causes both TBI and tinnitus.
• Vision problems: Convergence insufficiency, light sensitivity, and other visual disturbances rated under the appropriate eye diagnostic codes.
• Sleep disturbance: If rising to the level of a diagnosed sleep disorder, this may be rated separately.
• Depression/anxiety: If distinct from any PTSD diagnosis, mood disorders secondary to TBI can be rated separately.

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates for TBI

Here are the 2026 monthly compensation rates for a single veteran with no dependents at common TBI-related rating levels:

Combined Rating	Monthly Payment (2026)
10%	$180.42
40%	$795.84
50%	$1,132.90
70%	$1,808.45
80%	$2,102.15
90%	$2,362.30
100%	$3,938.58

Remember, TBI itself can only be rated at 0%, 10%, 40%, 70%, or 100% under DC 8045. But when combined with secondary conditions and other service-connected disabilities, your overall combined rating can land at any standard level. Use our calculator to see how your ratings combine.

Tips for Filing a TBI Claim

Document Everything

Service treatment records showing blast exposure, LOC events, or concussion diagnoses are critical. But even without documented in-service incidents, buddy statements from fellow service members who witnessed the event can help establish the injury.

Get a Comprehensive C&P Exam

The VA uses the Initial TBI Examination (or TBI Review Examination for increases) that specifically evaluates all 10 facets. Make sure the examiner thoroughly documents your worst days, not just how you're doing on the exam day. Be honest and specific about how symptoms affect your daily life, work, and relationships.

Separate TBI Symptoms from PTSD Symptoms

If you have both conditions, work with your treatment providers to clearly identify which symptoms stem from TBI versus PTSD. Cognitive testing (neuropsychological evaluation) can be particularly helpful in demonstrating TBI-specific impairments that go beyond what PTSD would cause.

Consider a Nexus Letter

If service connection is disputed, a nexus letter from a neurologist or neuropsychologist linking your current TBI symptoms to your military service can be the difference between approval and denial. Learn more about nexus letters in our secondary service connection guide.