Brain, Disease Due to Trauma
Brain, Disease Due to Trauma is a VA-ratable condition under diagnostic code 8045 in the Central Nervous System category. Maximum rating: 100%.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Level Total - Highest facet level is Total (e.g., severe impairment, consistently disoriented, severely impaired judgment) |
| 70% | Level 3 (Moderately Severe) - Highest facet level is 3 (e.g., moderate cognitive impairment, often disoriented) |
| 40% | Level 2 (Moderate) - Highest facet level is 2 (e.g., objective evidence of mild cognitive impairment) |
| 10% | Level 1 (Mild) - Highest facet level is 1 (e.g., mild memory loss, mildly impaired judgment) |
| 0% | Level 0 - No impairment in any cognitive facet |
Important Notes
COGNITIVE FACETS (rating = highest level in any single facet): MEMORY/ATTENTION: 0=normal, 1=mild complaints, 2=objective mild impairment, 3=moderate impairment, Total=severe. JUDGMENT: 0=normal, 1=occasionally unable to weigh alternatives, 2=usually unable to weigh complex alternatives, 3=occasionally unable to make routine decisions, Total=unable to make routine decisions. SOCIAL INTERACTION: 0=appropriate, 1=occasionally inappropriate, 2=frequently inappropriate, 3=usually inappropriate, Total=always inappropriate. ORIENTATION: 0=always oriented, 1=occasionally disoriented to one aspect, 2=occasionally disoriented to 2+ aspects, 3=often disoriented, Total=consistently disoriented. MOTOR ACTIVITY: 0=normal, 1=mildly decreased, 2=moderately decreased, 3=moderately severely decreased, Total=severely decreased. IMPORTANT: If TBI and mental health (e.g., PTSD) overlap, assign single rating for predominant disability to avoid pyramiding. Physical residuals (migraines, seizures) rate separately.
Filing Tips
Pro Tip: The VA won't connect the dots for you. That's your job. Build the paper trail before you file.
Gather medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of this condition.
Document in-service events, injuries, or exposures that caused or aggravated this condition.
Consider a nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service.
Review the rating criteria for DC 8045 to understand what symptoms warrant higher ratings.