TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
Start a claim for TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects— free & guided
Step-by-step builder: add this and any related conditions, see the research, and get a package ready for a free VSO. No account needed to start.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8045 (residuals of TBI), Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Other Residuals of TBI Not Otherwise Classified. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Highest level of impairment of 0 across the ten cognitive and behavioral facets (no complaints, or normal objective findings).
Highest facet level of 1, such as a complaint of mild memory loss with normal or mildly impaired objective testing, or one to three subjective symptoms that mildly interfere with work or daily activities.
Highest facet level of 2, such as objective evidence of moderate impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions, or three or more subjective symptoms that moderately interfere with work, family, or other relationships.
Highest facet level of 3, such as severely impaired judgment, or one or more neurobehavioral effects that interfere with or preclude workplace or social interaction on most days.
Any facet evaluated at the "total" level, such as complete inability to communicate by or comprehend spoken and written language, a persistently altered state of consciousness, or total impairment of a cognitive facet.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
JAMA Network Open, 2025 · PMID 41370079
Finding: In 288 combat-deployed service members followed 10 years (mostly blast or blunt mild TBI), k-means clustering identified subtypes with persistent cognitive dysfunction and elevated neurobehavioral and psychological symptoms; the most affected cluster (severe cognitive dysfunction) showed the lowest brain volume, particularly in cerebellum and brainstem.
Why it helps: Supports an association between combat-related mild TBI and long-lasting cognitive and mood/neurobehavioral impairment, with objective MRI brain-volume correlates, in a military cohort.
Military Medicine, 2024 · PMID 37756615
Finding: In combat-deployed cohorts (165 with blast concussion vs 109 non-injured controls) assessed at 1 and 5 years, blast TBI history was associated with significantly worse neurobehavioral impairment, PTSD, and depression symptoms at 5 years post-enrollment.
Why it helps: Supports an association between blast-related mild TBI in service members and persistent neurobehavioral and mood symptoms years after injury.
Journal of Neurotrauma, 2023 · nexus to dementia · PMID 36305374
Finding: Meta-analysis of 32 studies found a pooled risk ratio of 1.66 (95% CI 1.42-1.93) for all-cause dementia after TBI; the population attributable risk of dementia due to TBI among U.S. veterans was twice that of the general U.S. population, largely due to high TBI prevalence.
Why it helps: Supports an association between TBI and later dementia, a cognitive condition commonly claimed as secondary to a service-connected TBI, with veteran-specific risk estimates.
Neurology, 2014 · nexus to dementia · PMID 24966406
Finding: In a retrospective cohort of 188,764 U.S. veterans aged 55+, 16% of those with TBI developed dementia over 9 years versus 10% without TBI (adjusted hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.35-1.83), after accounting for competing risk of death and comorbidities.
Why it helps: Large veteran cohort supporting an association between TBI and a roughly 60% higher risk of dementia, relevant to dementia claimed as secondary to a service-connected TBI.
- The additional burden of PTSD on functioning and depression in veterans with traumatic brain injurySecondary
Nursing Outlook, 2021 · nexus to PTSD · PMID 33608113
Finding: Among 83 veterans recently diagnosed with TBI (65% with current PTSD), PTSD significantly predicted lower cognitive, social, and physical functioning and higher depressive symptoms after controlling for sociodemographics and TBI severity.
Why it helps: Supports an association in which comorbid PTSD aggravates the cognitive and mood (depressive) effects experienced by veterans with TBI.
Rehabilitation Psychology, 2021 · nexus to sleep apnea, PTSD · PMID 34871026
Finding: Among 602 veterans/service members in the VA TBI Model Systems database, ~32% reported sleep apnea; sleep apnea was significantly associated with greater PTSD symptom severity (p<.001), and more TBIs and combat deployment also predicted PTSD severity.
Why it helps: Supports an association linking sleep apnea, PTSD, and TBI in veterans, relevant where sleep apnea or mood symptoms are claimed alongside or secondary to a service-connected TBI.
Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2020 · nexus to depression, suicidal behavior · PMID 32015186
Finding: In a matched cohort of 17,504 TBI and 70,016 non-TBI subjects, suicide attempt risk was 2.23 times higher in the TBI group (0.98 vs 0.29 per 1000 person-years), rose with TBI severity, and was further increased by comorbid depression and alcohol-attributed disease.
Why it helps: Supports an association between TBI and elevated risk of depression-related and suicidal outcomes, relevant to mood sequelae claimed as secondary to a service-connected TBI.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Migraines
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Major Depressive Disorder
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Chronic Insomnia
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Seizure Disorder
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Vertigo
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Share this rating breakdown
A free, source-cited infographic of how the VA rates TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects. Save it and post it, or send it to someone who needs it. No fee, no catch.
Square format, ready for an Instagram or Facebook post.
Open / save the image →Sharing the page link also shows a wide preview card automatically.
Related Guides
TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects as a Secondary Condition
TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effectsclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
Estimate your combined rating →
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Health care
Estimate your VA Priority Group →
Priority Group 1-8 determines what care you get and what it costs. Service-connected = lower copays, full access.
Where you live
Compare 50 state veteran benefits →
State property tax exemptions for SC vets vary 10x. Some states fully exempt 100%-rated vets, others give nothing.
Home buying
VA home loan + funding fee waiver →
ANY service-connected rating waives the funding fee. On a $400K loan that's ~$8,600 saved.
Draft your TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects.
TBI - Cognitive/Mood Effects Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.