Traumatic Brain Injuries & VA Benefits: A Guide for Veterans

Veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury during their military service may continue to experience long-term or permanent complications and symptoms from their injury. These veterans may qualify for benefits from the VA and other organizations that provide medical care, support services, and financial assistance. 

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury involves any force or blow to the head or body or damage to brain tissues caused by an object penetrating the skull. TBIs cause short- or long-term or permanent changes in brain function, depending on the type and severity of injury. Common examples of TBIs include:

• Concussions
• Contusions
• Coup-contrecoup
• Hematoma
• Hemorrhage
• Penetrating brain injury
• Diffuse axonal injury

Traumatic brain injuries can occur during military service due to various causes, including training accidents, proximity to explosions, and combat injuries. TBIs can have multiple cognitive, physical, and behavioral/emotional symptoms, such as:

• Disorientation/confusion
• Difficulties with cognitive function or memory
• Unusual behavioral changes, including agitation, combativeness, or mood swings
• Anxiety or depression
• Impaired motor coordination
• Difficulty speaking or understanding spoken/written language
• Sleeping more than usual, difficulty falling asleep, or trouble waking up
• Recurring seizures

VA Benefits for Veterans with TBIs

Veterans who suffer symptoms from a traumatic brain injury sustained during their military service may qualify for various financial benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans with ongoing medical care needs for a service-connected TBI may qualify for healthcare and rehabilitation through VA medical centers. Furthermore, when a service-connected TBI causes a permanent impairment for a veteran, they may qualify for VA disability benefits that provide monthly financial payments. 

The VA determines a veteran’s qualification based on the agency’s evaluation of a veteran’s disability rating. The VA assigns disability ratings based on the severity of a veteran’s impairment. However, service-connected TBIs can cause or generate symptoms in tandem with other impairments, such as chronic migraines, clinical depression, or PTSD. The VA uses a chart system to determine how the disability rating for each impairment combines for a total disability rating that the agency uses to determine the veteran’s benefits. 

Filing a VA Claim for a TBI

A veteran with symptoms from a service-connected traumatic brain injury can file a claim with the VA for disability and healthcare benefits. Filing a VA claim begins with gathering medical records and evidence connecting one’s TBI to their military service, such as service records of the accident or incident that caused the TBI or the medical treatment received for the TBI. In many cases, the VA will ask veterans applying for disability benefits to submit to a medical evaluation to obtain additional information about the nature and severity of the veteran’s condition. Unfortunately, veterans frequently face challenges in securing VA disability benefits, often due to insufficient evidence of a service connection for their impairments or a lack of medical evidence of the severity of an injury or condition. However, veterans can pursue administrative appeals of denials of their VA benefits applications. 

Additional Support for Veterans with TBIs

The VA provides additional support services for veterans with TBIs, such as rehabilitation and vocational training to help veterans resume working or regain their independence despite the limitations caused by their injuries. Veterans may also have access to other resources outside the VA, including state disability benefits (including veterans-focused programs) and private veterans’ organizations. 

Contact a VA Disability Lawyer Today

When you sustained a traumatic brain injury during military training or service and your injury continues to require care or cause impairments of your daily activities or working ability, you may qualify for VA disability benefits. Contact Veteran Benefits Law Group for an initial consultation with a VA disability lawyer to learn how TBIs may qualify you for VA benefits.