What is the TDRL-to-PBR transition and how does it affect my DC 8045 rating?

Active-duty servicemembers with service-connected TBI are typically placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) for an initial period of up to 5 years rather than receiving a permanent VA rating at separation. Under 38 CFR 3.105(i), the TDRL placement triggers a re-examination at 18 months and again before the 5-year mark. At each examination the military treatment facility (MTF) or VA determines whether the servicemember's condition has stabilized — if it has, they are removed from TDRL and placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL, often called PDR for Permanent Disability Retirement). PDR is a military retirement designation, distinct from a VA disability rating under DC 8045. The transition from TDRL to PDR is the moment at which the VA schedules the comprehensive TBI C&P exam that produces the DC 8045 facet scoring. Once on PDRL/PDR, the VA assigns a DC 8045 rating (0/10/40/70) that is generally retained unless there is clear improvement under 38 CFR 3.105(e). Most veterans end up at the 10% or 40% tier after TDRL-to-PDR; reaching the 70% Level 3 tier requires three facets at severe, with full objective documentation.

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VA TBI Claims: The DC 8045 Three-Tier Rating Ladder

Q: Can I claim TBI without a documented in-service medical record of head injury?

Yes. Many veterans — especially those who experienced blast exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan — never sought medical care at the time of the in-service head injury because the combat environment made immediate medical attention for concussion unavailable, or because the servicemember was treated by a unit medic and the record was never consolidated into the official service treatment record (STR). For TBI claims, the VA accepts lay evidence (the veteran's own statement), buddy statements from servicemembers who witnessed the event, and combat / deployment records that establish presence in a blast zone — even an MOS (military occupational specialty) record documenting exposure to blast or impact conditions can be sufficient secondary evidence. The Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program and the DD-214 are useful corroborating documents. A private TBI DBQ and a private nexus letter interpreting the cognitive-symptom cluster as residuals of the in-service blast event bridges any gap between undocumented in-service injury and current residuals.

Traumatic brain injury — blast exposure, vehicle accidents, blunt head trauma, or any in-service head injury — is rated under the federal schedule at 38 CFR 4.124a DC 8045 using a three-tier facet ladder: 0% asymptomatic service-connected; 10% at Level 1 with one facet at most mild; 40% at Level 2 with two facets at most moderate; 70% at Level 3 with three facets at most severe. The actual rating tier is set by the examiner's facet scoring on the C&P TBI DBQ — not by the loss-of-consciousness severity classification. This guide covers the three-tier rating ladder, the §4.124a "loss of consciousness" wording trap, the cognitive-symptom facet cluster, the TDRL-to-PBR transition, and the secondary pathways to migraines (DC 8100) and PTSD (DC 9411).

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70% Max DC 8045 rating (Level 3 three-facet)

38 CFR 4.124a DC 8045 residuals of TBI — three-tier ladder

DC 8045 Three-facet scoring drives Level 1 / 2 / 3

Migraines · PTSD Top secondaries to service-connected TBI

Cross-references — the TBI cluster that migraines and PTSD point back to

TBI is the upstream condition. Migraines and PTSD point back here.

If you arrived at this page from the VA Migraines Claims Guide → or the VA PTSD Claims Guide →, you are already inside the TBI cluster. Both conditions list TBI among their strongest secondary nexus theories. This page is the upstream landing for that pipeline: confirm your TBI is service-connected under DC 8045 (any rating, even 0% asymptomatic — service connection is what counts), then file migraines and / or PTSD as secondary under 38 CFR 3.310(a) with a single nexus letter covering the medical mechanism. The blast event, the combat trauma, or the vehicle accident that produced the TBI usually also produced the in-service stressor that anchors PTSD — and produced the central sensitization that drives chronic migraine-pattern headaches.

If you arrived at this page directly, you are most likely in one of two camps: an active-duty or recently separated servicemember working through the TDRL process, or a veteran further out from service who has service-connected post-concussion residuals and is upgrading or claiming secondary conditions.

38 CFR 4.124a DC 8045 — three-tier facet ladder

The DC 8045 three-tier rating ladder: 0%, 10% (Level 1), 40% (Level 2), 70% (Level 3).

Unlike most VA diagnostic codes — which use a stepped numeric ladder with explicit percentage tiers — DC 8045 uses a three-tier facet ladder. The examiner scores three facets — cognitive, subjective, and neurological/emotional/behavioral — at mild / moderate / severe. The combination of facet scores determines the rating tier. There is no 20%, 30%, 50%, or 60% rating under DC 8045. The four possible ratings, in order:

Rating	Tier Description (38 CFR 4.124a DC 8045)	What the Evidence Has to Show
0% $0/mo (service-connected)	Asymptomatic service-connected TBI is service-connected but the examiner finds no compensable residuals on the C&P exam. Service connection is established for future rating increases and for secondary claims under 38 CFR 3.310(a).	Documented in-service TBI event + a current diagnosis of TBI residuals (even if currently asymptomatic). The 0% rating is the floor; it preserves the right to file secondary conditions and to upgrade the rating later if symptoms worsen.
10% ~$175/mo (2026 rate)	Level 1 — one facet at most mild A single cognitive, subjective, or neurological/emotional/behavioral facet is documented at mild severity. Two facets at mild, or one facet at moderate, does not qualify for 10% — those crossovers go directly to the Level 2 standard.	Documented mild finding on one facet — for example, subjective headaches by themselves, mild memory complaints without objective memory loss, or insomnia in isolation. If more than one facet is mildly affected, file for Level 2 (40%) — the examiner should not split symptoms to keep you at 10%.
40% ~$774/mo (2026 rate)	Level 2 — two facets at most moderate Two of the three DC 8045 facets are documented at moderate severity. The third facet can be normal, mild, or moderate without elevating the rating past Level 2.	Document two facets at moderate — most commonly: (1) subjective headaches moderate AND (2) cognitive moderate (memory / concentration documented); or (1) cognitive moderate AND (2) emotional/behavioral moderate (mood / irritability documented). Objective testing — neuropsych eval, memory testing, mood inventory — is decisive.
70% ~$1,663/mo (2026 rate)	Level 3 — three facets at most severe All three DC 8045 facets are documented at severe severity. This is the rating maximum under DC 8045. Veterans whose TBI residuals exceed the Level 3 standard are typically rated by analogy under another DC or qualified for TDIU.	Three facets at severe. The examiner must document severe findings on the cognitive facet (significant memory loss / executive function impairment), severe subjective symptoms (debilitating headaches, intractable insomnia), AND severe neurological/emotional/behavioral findings (marked mood disorder, severe irritability). All three facets are required — three out of three.

Above DC 8045 — rating by analogy, separate DCs, and TDIU

The maximum rating under DC 8045 is 70%. If your TBI residuals exceed the Level 3 standard — for example, severe cognitive impairment equivalent to dementia, intractable migraine-pattern headaches under DC 8100, or severe psychiatric residuals equivalent to a General Rating Formula 100% rating — the VA is required to consider a separate or analogous rating. The most common paths: (a) separate rating under DC 8100 for migraine-pattern headaches (DC 8100 max 50%) if the headaches meet the migraine criteria independently of the DC 8045 facet scoring; (b) separate rating under DC 9411 for psychiatric residuals (PTSD, MDD, or other mental health) if the mental-health symptom cluster warrants its own rating under 38 CFR 4.130; (c) rating by analogy under a more appropriate DC if the residuals don't fit neatly into the three-facet cluster; or (d) TDIU under 38 CFR 4.16 if the combination of TBI residuals prevents sustained gainful employment. Each of these is a separate rating decision that adds to the combined rating under 38 CFR 4.25.

§4.124a — the loss-of-consciousness severity classification trap

The §4.124a "loss of consciousness" language: diagnostic severity, not rating tier.

At 38 CFR 4.124a, the regulation classifies the severity of the in-service TBI by the documented loss of consciousness (LOC). This classification is not the rating tier — it is the diagnostic classification that anchors which residuals are typically present and how aggressive the examiner should be in documenting them.

LOC / Severity Classification	§4.124a Verbatim Language	What It Means For Your Claim
Mild Concussion	"Brief period of unconsciousness (less than 30 minutes); or alternatively, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) of less than 24 hours; or, not unconscious, but dazed and confused for less than 24 hours."	The minimum severity classification. Most blast-exposure and short-duration impact injuries land here. Mild does not mean no residuals — facet scoring on the C&P exam still determines the rating tier.
Moderate Concussion	"Loss of consciousness of more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours; or, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) of more than 1 day but less than 7 days; or, not unconscious, but dazed and confused for more than 24 hours."	A documented worsening severity classification. Headaches, cognitive complaints, and emotional changes are expected. The examiner should expect facet findings at the moderate level — request that the examiner score each facet.
Severe Concussion	"Loss of consciousness of 24 hours or more; or, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) of 7 days or more; or, evidence of brain penetration."	The maximum severity classification. Severe TBI typically produces Level 2 (40%) or Level 3 (70%) ratings at minimum. If your in-service TBI is moderate or severe, the examiner should be documenting facet findings on each of the three DC 8045 facets — a 0% asymptomatic rating is rarely appropriate for moderate or severe TBI.

The trap — what goes wrong with the LOC classification

VA examiners sometimes use the LOC classification as the rating — that is, they rate a veteran at "0% asymptomatic" because the documented in-service LOC was under 30 minutes (classified as mild concussion), even though the veteran's current residual cluster — chronic headaches, memory complaints, mood changes — clearly supports a 10% Level 1 or 40% Level 2 rating. The §4.124a classification is diagnostic, not rating. A mild concussion in-service does not bar compensation for current moderate residuals; a moderate concussion in-service does not guarantee a moderate current rating — the rating comes from the current facet scoring at the C&P exam, not from the LOC at the moment of injury.

If your examiner gives you a 0% rating because your in-service LOC was short, push back with the facet-by-facet documentation. A 0% rating requires the examiner to find no compensable residuals — not just that the original injury was "mild."

DC 8045 — the three facets

The three-facet cluster: cognitive, subjective, neurological/emotional/behavioral.

The DC 8045 rating is set by the examiner's scoring of three facets. Each facet is rated on a mild / moderate / severe scale. The combination of facet severities determines the Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 rating. The C&P TBI DBQ has separate sections for each facet — the examiner must score each. Understanding the facet structure is the difference between a 0% rating and a 40% or 70% rating.

Facet scoring → Level → Rating — the maths of DC 8045

The mapping is mechanical. The examiner scores each of the three facets at mild, moderate, or severe. The rater then applies a fixed regulation table:

Level 1 = 10% rating: one facet at mild (regardless of severity on the other two).

Level 2 = 40% rating: two facets at moderate. The third facet can be normal, mild, or moderate without breaking the Level 2 placement.

Level 3 = 70% rating: three facets at severe — all three, no exceptions.

The trap for veterans is that the examiner is supposed to score all three facets independently and apply the regulation table. In practice, examiners sometimes score only one facet and rate Based On One Facet, which produces a 0% rating ("asymptomatic") or a 10% rating when the other two facets would have moved the rating to 40% if they had been scored. Demand that the examiner fill out all three facet sections on the DBQ — and demand that each facet be scored at mild, moderate, or severe. Missing facets silently cap your rating.

TDRL → PDR (sometimes called "PBR") — the military retirement transition

TDRL-to-PDR / PBR transition: when the military puts you on the permanent retired list.

Active-duty servicemembers with service-connected TBI are typically placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) at separation rather than receiving a permanent VA rating. The military places the servicemember on TDRL precisely because the long-term trajectory of TBI residuals is uncertain — the regulation puts you on TDRL for up to 5 years with mandatory re-examinations to determine whether the condition has stabilized. After the condition stabilizes, you are removed from TDRL and placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL, often called PDR) — at the same time, the VA assigns a DC 8045 rating that is generally retained unless there is clear improvement under 38 CFR 3.105(e). This section covers the timeline, the paperwork, and the impact on your DC 8045 rating.

PLACEMENT

TDRL placement — separation from active duty

At separation, the military Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) determines that you have a service-connected TBI that is rated at 30% or higher by the military disability scale — but the long-term prognosis is uncertain. You are placed on TDRL for an initial period of up to 5 years. You receive military retired pay (typically less than 75% of base pay depending on your retirement formula) and may apply for VA compensation concurrently under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) or Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) programs. DoD formally notifies the VA of the TDRL placement and the underlying TBI diagnosis.

18 MONTHS

First mandatory re-examination (under 38 CFR 3.105(i))

Under 38 CFR 3.105(i), TDRL placement triggers a re-examination at approximately 18 months. The re-examination is conducted at a military treatment facility (MTF) or VA facility and produces the first formal assessment of whether your TBI residuals have stabilized. Stabilization is the regulation's key term — it does not mean improvement; it means the residuals are unlikely to substantially improve or worsen in the foreseeable future. The 18-month exam may also be the moment a C&P TBI DBQ is filled out — provide your current symptom documentation and any private evaluations for the examer's review.

~3-5 YEARS

Second mandatory re-examination and PDR / PBR decision

A second formal re-examination occurs before the 5-year TDRL cap. At this exam, the MTF or VA determines whether the TBI residuals are stable enough to warrant removal from TDRL. If yes, you are removed from TDRL and placed on PDR (Permanent Disability Retired List). This is the moment that the VA assigns — or formalizes — your DC 8045 rating. The PDR rating is generally retained unless there is clear improvement under 38 CFR 3.105(e). If your TBI residuals are still unstable, the disability rating board may extend the TDRL period up to the 5-year cap.

VA RATING

DC 8045 rating assigned — generally retained after TDRL-to-PDR

The VA assigns a DC 8045 rating based on the C&P TBI DBQ facet scoring at the second re-examination: 0% (asymptomatic service-connected), 10% (Level 1), 40% (Level 2), or 70% (Level 3). The rating is generally retained unless you file for an increase and the evidence shows clear improvement (a higher standard than "stable"), or unless new evidence shows worsening that supports a future claim for increase. Concurrent VA compensation and military retired pay may coordinate under CRDP or CRSC programs.

Paperwork — VA Form 21-8940 and the rating request

If you have been placed on TDRL or PDR and the VA has not yet assigned a DC 8045 rating, file VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) if your TBI residuals prevent you from working — but for the standard DC 8045 rating, file the regular VA Form 21-526EZ and request a C&P TBI exam. The exam is the moment the facet scoring happens. Submit your own private TBI DBQ before the VA exam if possible — it provides the examiner with a baseline for the facet scoring and reduces the risk of a 0% asymptomatic rating from an incomplete exam.

For most veterans, the TDRL-to-PDR / PBR transition lands at the 10% (Level 1) or 40% (Level 2) tier. The 70% Level 3 tier requires three facets at severe — uncommon for TBI without significant blast exposure or extended LOC. Above 70%, you are in rating-by-analogy or TDIU territory. The TDRL period is the time to gather private TBI DBQ documentation, neuropsych evaluations, and treatment records — the more complete the file at the second re-examination, the more accurate the DC 8045 rating will be.

38 CFR 3.310(a) — secondary service connection

Secondary connections: TBI → migraines, TBI → PTSD, and other TBI-linked claims.

Secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310(a) covers conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. A DC 8045 TBI rating — at any level, including 0% asymptomatic — anchors all of the following secondary claims. Service connection at any rating preserves the right to file; the rating does not need to be compensable.

Migraines

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a recognized, well-documented sequela of TBI under ICHD-3 criteria. Blast exposure, vehicle accidents, and blunt head trauma produce central sensitization of trigeminovascular pain pathways that trigger chronic migraine-pattern headaches. Rated under DC 8100 (up to 50%). Very strong nexus — the medical literature is extensive.

Very strong nexus

PTSD

TBI disrupts the brain's normal threat-detection and fear-response circuitry (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampal memory systems). The same blast event that produced the TBI often also produced the in-service stressor — and the post-concussion cognitive / emotional dysfunction makes PTSD harder to treat and more severe. Rated under DC 9411 (up to 100%).

Strong nexus

Sleep Apnea

TBI-disrupted neural control of upper-airway musculature and post-concussion disruption of normal sleep architecture can cause or worsen obstructive sleep apnea. The TBI→sleep-apnea nexus is established in medical literature. File under DC 6847 (up to 50% with CPAP).

Established mechanism

Depression / Anxiety

TBI's neurological and emotional/behavioral facet (Facet 3) frequently produces Major Depressive Disorder (DC 9434) or generalized anxiety. The mood / emotional / behavioral changes caused by TBI are themselves a secondary claim independent of the DC 8045 rating. File with a psychiatrist's nexus letter.

Direct mechanism

Vestibular Dysfunction

TBI commonly damages the vestibular system (inner-ear balance organs and their neural connections), producing chronic dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo. Rated under DC 6204 (peripheral vestibular disorders) or DC 6296 (other vestibular). File with an ENT or vestibular therapist's evaluation.

File as secondary

Tinnitus

TBI's damage to the auditory nerve and central auditory processing pathways produces or worsens tinnitus (DC 6260). Often appears as a Facet 2 subjective symptom under DC 8045 but is also separately ratable at 10% maximum. File under DC 6260 with audiometric documentation.

Up to 10% rating

To file a TBI-primary secondary claim: submit VA Form 21-526EZ listing the secondary condition (migraines, PTSD, etc.) as secondary to your service-connected DC 8045 TBI. Include a nexus letter from the relevant specialist (neurologist for migraines, psychiatrist for PTSD, ENT for vestibular) that names the TBI as the primary condition, names the secondary diagnosis, and explains the medical mechanism linking TBI to the secondary condition. Each secondary claim is a separate rating decision that adds to your combined rating under 38 CFR 4.25 — the cluster multiplies significantly. Full guide: Secondary Conditions Guide →

C&P exam prep — TBI Residuals DBQ

C&P exam prep: what to bring, what to say, how the facet scoring determines your rating.

The C&P TBI exam is the highest-leverage moment in a TBI claim. The examiner's facet scoring produces the Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 placement. Most TBI claims stop at 0% (asymptomatic) or 10% (Level 1) because the examiner fails to score Facets 2 and 3, defaulting the rating to one facet. The veteran with documented moderate symptoms on all three facets leaves with a 0% rating because the examiner scored only one facet.

What the examiner will document on the TBI DBQ

Diagnostic history and in-service event: Was there a documented TBI event in service? What was the LOC duration, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration, and any in-service treatment? The examiner reviews your service treatment records (STRs) and any in-service TBI documentation. If your in-service event was undocumented, bring buddy statements, witness statements, deployment records, and DD-214.

Current subjective symptoms (Facet 2): Headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, hypersensitivity, fatigue. The examiner scores Facet 2 based on the frequency and severity of these symptoms. Bring your symptom diary / log and treatment records for each.

Objective cognitive findings (Facet 1): Memory testing, concentration testing, executive function testing. The examiner typically performs bedside cognitive testing (immediate recall, delayed recall, three-word recall, serial sevens). Submit a private neuropsych evaluation if you have one — formal testing is the gold standard for the cognitive facet.

Neurological / emotional / behavioral findings (Facet 3): Mood / affect observations at the exam; behavioral descriptions from a spouse or family lay statement; psychiatric treatment records; medication logs.

Facet scoring: Each of the three facets is scored at mild, moderate, or severe. All three facets must be scored — a partially scored DBQ produces a 0% or 10% rating. Demand that all three facet sections of the DBQ be completed.

Bring these documents to the C&P exam

(1) In-service TBI documentation — STRs, IED report, line-of-duty investigation, MTF records. If undocumented, bring buddy statements from servicemembers who witnessed the event.

(2) Private TBI DBQ — completed by a neurologist, neuropsychologist, or treating provider before the VA exam. Submit with your claim and bring a copy to the VA exam. The private DBQ scores each DC 8045 facet; the VA examiner must consider it.

(3) Current symptom log — a one-page summary with the frequency and severity of your headaches, sleep disruption, memory complaints, and emotional symptoms. Bring longer supporting logs (sleep log, headache diary) for backup.

(4) Psychiatric treatment records — psychiatrist notes, psychologist notes, current medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, sleep aids), counseling records. Each supports Facet 3 emotional / behavioral scoring.

(5) Lay statements — from spouse, family, or fellow servicemembers describing observable cognitive, mood, and behavioral changes over time.

Describe your worst, not your average

Like all C&P exams, the TBI exam captures one moment in time. The veteran who describes their average day leaves the examiner with no documentation of worst-case severity. The veteran who describes the worst day explicitly — "during flare-ups I cannot recall my children's names for hours, I lose my train of thought mid-sentence at work, my headaches force me into a dark room for 6–8 hours" — gives the examiner the language to document moderate or severe findings on each facet. Be specific. Be honest. Write this out before the exam. Full exam protocol: C&P Exam Guide →

Common denial reasons — and how to fight them

Three reasons TBI claims get under-rated — and the fix for each.

Denial reason #1 — "Asymptomatic" (0%) when the facet cluster supports 10%, 40%, or 70%

The problem: The examiner scores only one DC 8045 facet, marks the other two as "not evaluated," and the rater defaults to 0% asymptomatic. This is the most common TBI under-rating. The examiner either ran out of time on a long DBQ, didn't understand the three-facet structure, or didn't have access to the private TBI DBQ that would have shown the facet scoring.

The fix: File a Supplemental Claim with: (1) a private TBI DBQ from a neurologist or neuropsychologist scoring all three facets at mild / moderate / severe; (2) a neuropsych evaluation report with formal memory / executive function testing; (3) treatment records for each subjective and emotional / behavioral symptom you report; (4) a lay statement from a spouse or family member describing cognitive and mood changes. Demand that all three facet sections of the VA DBQ be completed.

Denial reason #2 — In-service TBI event not documented in STRs

The problem: The VA denies service connection because the in-service TBI event has no medical record. This is very common for blast exposure — combat injuries often received field treatment rather than STR documentation.

The fix: Submit buddy statements from servicemembers who witnessed the event, deployment records showing presence in a blast zone (IED incident report, unit after-action report, Combat Action Ribbon citation), MOS documentation showing exposure to blast or impact conditions, and a private TBI DBQ with a nexus letter from a neurologist that links your current residuals to the in-service event based on the documented exposure history. Lay evidence + secondary documentation + medical nexus is sufficient to establish service connection under 38 CFR 3.304.

Denial reason #3 — C&P examiner minimizes subjective complaints ("a few headaches, no treatment")

The problem: The examiner's DBQ reports the veteran's symptoms as mild or infrequent because the veteran didn't bring treatment records, didn't bring a symptom diary, and didn't describe the worst day during the exam. The examiner has no documentation to support moderate or severe facet scoring.

The fix: Bring treatment records (primary care, neurology, urgent care visits for headaches), a current symptom diary, a list of current medications (including OTC pain relievers — they count), and a written lay statement describing worst-day scenarios. Be specific about frequency: "8–10 headaches/month, 2 of which are prostrating and force me to lie down for 6–8 hours each." Numbers win arguments with VA raters.

If your TBI claim was denied or under-rated, see: VA Claim Denied Guide → and VA Appeals Guide →. You have one year from the denial date to file in an AMA lane. The Supplemental Claim lane — new and relevant evidence — is the most effective for TBI denials because each of the fixes above is new, qualifying evidence.

Resources — what to do next

TBI claim denied, under-rated, or not yet filed? Your next steps.

DC 8045 is a three-tier ladder — 0%, 10%, 40%, 70% — driven by the examiner's facet scoring on the C&P TBI DBQ. Most TBI claims fall at the 0% "asymptomatic" rating because the examiner scores only one facet. The rating fixes are mechanical: submit a private TBI DBQ scoring all three facets, attach a nexus letter for any secondary claim, and bring treatment records + symptom diaries to the C&P exam. Use these resources based on where you are in the path.

Top secondary VA Migraines Claims Guide Migraines secondary to TBI — DC 8100 up to 50%. Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is one of the strongest secondary nexus theories in VA case law. Top secondary VA PTSD Claims Guide PTSD secondary to TBI — DC 9411 up to 100%. Blast / combat exposure anchors the in-service stressor; TBI disrupts the brain's recovery from the trauma. Multi-claim strategy Secondary Conditions Guide How a 0% TBI service connection anchors migraines, PTSD, sleep apnea, depression, vestibular, and tinnitus — each adds to your combined rating under 38 CFR 4.25. Run the numbers VA Combined Ratings Calculator See how DC 8045 (0/10/40/70) plus secondary migraines and PTSD combine under 38 CFR 4.25. Prep the exam C&P Exam Guide TBI DBQ facet scoring, what to bring to the exam, how to describe worst-day symptoms for each of the three facets. If denied VA Claim Denied Guide The Supplemental Claim lane — new and relevant evidence — for TBI under-ratings and facet-scoring failures. If denied Appeals Guide HLR, Supplemental Claim, Board — AMA lanes for TBI Rating Decision Review. Lock your date first Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) If your TBI claim is not yet filed, file an Intent to File first. It locks your effective date and protects backpay for one year while you build the file.

Ask on the HadIt Forum — 26,000 veterans with TBI claims →

Frequently asked questions

VA TBI Claims FAQ — 8 questions veterans ask most.

What is DC 8045 (residuals of TBI) and how does the VA rate TBI?

DC 8045 is the diagnostic code at 38 CFR 4.124a the VA uses to evaluate the residuals of traumatic brain injury. Unlike most VA ratings — which use a stepped numeric ladder — DC 8045 uses a three-tier facet ladder. Level 1 = 10% rating (one cognitive, subjective, or neurological/emotional/behavioral facet at most mild). Level 2 = 40% rating (two facets at most moderate). Level 3 = 70% rating (three facets at most severe). A separate 0% (asymptomatic service-connected) rating is assigned if you have documented in-service TBI but no compensable residuals. The maximum DC 8045 rating is 70% — but veterans whose residuals exceed Level 3 are typically rated by analogy under another DC, get a separate rating for migraines (DC 8100) or PTSD (DC 9411), or qualify for TDIU under 38 CFR 4.16.

What is the "loss of consciousness" wording trap at 38 CFR 4.124a?

At 38 CFR 4.124a, the regulation classifies a TBI by the documented loss of consciousness (LOC) at the time of the in-service injury. LOC of 30 minutes or less is classified as mild concussion (with PTA of less than 24 hours as the alternative measure). LOC of more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours is classified as moderate concussion (with PTA of 1–7 days as the alternative). LOC of 24 hours or more is classified as severe concussion. This LOC classification is not, itself, the rating tier — it is the diagnostic classification that anchors which-residuals are typically present. The actual percentage rating comes from the facet cluster documented at the C&P exam, not from LOC alone. The trap: VA examiners sometimes default a rating to 0% asymptomatic when documentation is incomplete and miss that the veteran has clear Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 facet findings regardless of LOC severity.

What is the cognitive-symptom cluster that drives DC 8045 ratings?

The cognitive-symptom cluster at DC 8045 organizes post-TBI residuals into three facets. Facet 1 — cognitive: memory loss, impaired concentration, attention deficits, executive-function impairment. Facet 2 — subjective symptoms: headaches (often migraine-pattern), dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, hypersensitivity, fatigue. Facet 3 — neurological / emotional / behavioral: mood changes, irritability, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, social withdrawal. The examiner scores each facet at mild, moderate, or severe. One facet at mild = Level 1 (10%). Two facets at moderate = Level 2 (40%). Three facets at severe = Level 3 (70%). The C&P TBI DBQ scores each facet separately — the rater combines the facet scores into the tier using the regulation's table. The trap is when the examiner doesn't score all three facets — submit your own private TBI DBQ to ensure all three are assessed.

What is the TDRL-to-PDR transition and how does it affect my DC 8045 rating?

Active-duty servicemembers with service-connected TBI are typically placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) for up to 5 years at separation. Under 38 CFR 3.105(i), TDRL placement triggers an 18-month re-examination and a second re-examination before the 5-year cap. At each examination, the MTF or VA determines whether the TBI residuals have stabilized — stabilization is the regulation's key term (not improvement, but unlikely-to-substantially-change). If stabilized, you are removed from TDRL and placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDR / PBR). At that moment, the VA assigns a DC 8045 rating (0/10/40/70) that is generally retained unless clear improvement under 38 CFR 3.105(e) is shown. Most veterans end up at the 10% or 40% tier after TDRL-to-PDR; reaching 70% requires three facets at severe with full objective documentation. The TDRL period is your window to gather private TBI DBQ documentation, neuropsych evaluations, and treatment records before the second re-examination.

Can I claim TBI without a documented in-service medical record of head injury?

Yes. Many veterans who experienced blast exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan never sought medical care at the time of the in-service head injury — combat conditions made immediate medical attention for concussion unavailable, or the servicemember was treated by a unit medic and the record was never consolidated into the official STR. The VA accepts lay evidence (your own statement), buddy statements from servicemembers who witnessed the event, and combat / deployment records that establish presence in a blast zone. An MOS record documenting exposure to blast or impact conditions can be sufficient secondary evidence. The Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program and the DD-214 are useful corroborating documents. A private TBI DBQ and a private nexus letter interpreting your cognitive-symptom cluster as residuals of the in-service event bridges any documentation gap between the undocumented in-service injury and current residuals.

Can migraines be filed as secondary to TBI?

Yes — and this is one of the strongest secondary nexus theories available. Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a recognized, well-documented sequela of TBI under ICHD-3 criteria. The medical mechanism: blast exposure, vehicle accidents, blunt head trauma, or any in-service head injury produces central sensitization of trigeminovascular pain pathways, which then triggers chronic migraine-pattern headaches. To file: (1) confirm your TBI is service-connected under DC 8045 at any rating (even 0% asymptomatic), (2) submit VA Form 21-526EZ listing migraines as secondary to TBI, and (3) attach a nexus letter from a treating neurologist or your TBI examiner explicitly connecting the blast event / in-service head injury to the migraine-pattern chronic headaches. The medical literature supporting this nexus is extensive. See the VA Migraines Claims Guide → for the full migraine rating path under DC 8100 (up to 50%).

Can PTSD be filed as secondary to TBI?

Yes. PTSD secondary to TBI is one of the most common TBI-linked secondary claims. The medical mechanism: TBI disrupts the brain's normal threat-detection and fear-response circuitry (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampal memory systems), and the post-concussion cognitive / emotional / behavioral dysfunction directly contributes to the development of PTSD symptoms in veterans who experienced combat or another traumatic event during service. The same blast exposure that caused the TBI often also caused the in-service stressor that triggered the PTSD; the TBI then impairs the brain's ability to recover from the trauma — making the PTSD more severe than it would be in a non-TBI veteran. To file: confirm TBI is service-connected, file VA Form 21-526EZ listing PTSD as secondary to TBI, and include a nexus letter from a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist documenting the TBI → PTSD mechanism. See the VA PTSD Claims Guide → for the full PTSD rating path under DC 9411 (up to 100%).

What does the C&P examiner document on the TBI DBQ?

The VA C&P examiner for a TBI claim uses the TBI Residuals DBQ. The examiner documents: (1) diagnosis and history — the in-service TBI event, LOC duration, PTA duration, any in-service treatment; (2) current subjective symptoms (Facet 2) — headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, mood changes; (3) objective cognitive findings (Facet 1) — memory / concentration / executive function testing; (4) objective neurological findings — coordination, gait, cranial nerve, motor / sensory; (5) psychiatric findings (Facet 3) — mood / affect / anxiety / depression; (6) the severity rating on each of the three DC 8045 facets (mild, moderate, severe). The single highest-leverage point of a TBI claim is the examiner's facet scoring: one facet mild = Level 1 (10%); two facets moderate = Level 2 (40%); three facets severe = Level 3 (70%). Submit a private TBI DBQ before the exam if your VA examiner is likely to under-score the facets. Full exam protocol: C&P Exam Guide →.

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HadIt.com has operated since 1997 — built by veterans, for veterans, with no financial stake in your claim outcome. Traumatic brain injury is one of the most consistently under-rated conditions in VA claims: veterans with documented moderate and severe TBI residuals repeatedly receive 0% "asymptomatic" ratings because C&P examiners score only one of the three DC 8045 facets. The DC 8045 three-tier ladder is mechanical — facet by facet, examiner scoring into the Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 table. Every missed facet is money you're owed but didn't get. This guide exists to close that gap.

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