Diagnostic Code 8045: Traumatic Brain Injury Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.124a
- Rating range
- 0% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Neurological conditions
The VA rates Traumatic Brain Injury under diagnostic code 8045 in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 8045 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Highest facet level of impairment is 0 on the table titled Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Other Residuals of TBI Not Otherwise Classified What raters look forno facet above level 0 |
| 10% | Highest facet level of impairment is 1 What raters look forhighest facet level 1, for example a complaint of mild memory loss without objective evidence on testing |
| 40% | Highest facet level of impairment is 2 What raters look forhighest facet level 2, for example objective evidence on testing of mild impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions resulting in mild functional impairment |
| 70% | Highest facet level of impairment is 3 What raters look forhighest facet level 3, for example objective evidence on testing of moderate impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions resulting in moderate functional impairment |
| 100% | One or more facets evaluated as total What raters look forany facet at the total level, for example a persistently altered state of consciousness |
DC 8045 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 1,562 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 8045 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 27.0%, denied 56.5% and sent 16.5% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 176 | 33.0% |
| 40 percent | 113 | 54.0% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 8045 rulings
Percentages use all 258 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate65.5%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened15.1%
- No exam problem recorded13.2%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 8045 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for TBI. The TBI condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to TBI appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 8,367 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on TBI, 2021 to 2026. The TBI condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe TBI appeals generally rather than DC 8045 specifically. The DC 8045 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 8045?
Diagnostic code 8045 is the VA rating schedule entry for Traumatic Brain Injury, found in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 8045?
DC 8045 provides ratings of 0%, 10%, 40%, 70%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 8045 require?
The 100% rating for Traumatic Brain Injury requires: One or more facets evaluated as total.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 8045?
In 1,507 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 8045 from 2021 to 2026, 25.0% were granted, 58.1% denied and 16.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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