In 2008, a study published by RAND Corp. estimated that 300,000 U.S. troops may have suffered traumatic brain injury (“TBI”), many from exposure to a blast during training or combat operations. According to data published by the Department of Defense, approximately 100,000 troops have been diagnosed with mild TBI since 2003, with numbers increasing as military medicine has become more aggressive in screening for the hidden injury.
SYMPTOMS OF TBI
Symptoms of TBI may include the following:
Headaches
Dizziness
Excessive fatigue (tiredness)
Concentration problems
Forgetting things (memory problems)
Irritability
Balance problems
Vision change
VA Disability Benefits Associated with TBI
Ratings for traumatic brain injury are complicated, at least in part because of the varied symptoms involved. There are be a number of different ways that a single claim could be rated. In some circumstances VA may rate the veteran’s symptoms under one diagnostic code, but in other circumstance the symptoms may be rated separately under several codes. Complications could be rated separately, each being assigned a percentage; or they could be grouped together and assigned a percentage; or come could be grouped together, and others rated separately. These different methods could all result in different evaluation.
Because of the complexity involved in rating TBI claims, veterans are well advised to seek the assistance of a qualified veterans service officer or attorney to assist them with understanding the rating received, as well as ensuring that the proper evaluation was assigned by VA.
This article is authored through the collaborative efforts of Shana Dunn and other legal professionals at West & Dunn, a law firm dedicated to providing high quality legal services to individuals and businesses, with a particular focus on assisting veterans of the United States Armed Forces. If you have questions or would like assistance with your VA claim, the attorneys at West & Dunn can be reached at (608) 490-9449.