{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/residuals-of-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:32.800Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":5715,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.8,"denied_pct":33,"remanded_pct":51.7,"granted_on_merits_pct":29.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":277,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":31.4,"remanded_pct":50.9},{"year":2018,"issues":520,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":35.2,"remanded_pct":51.7},{"year":2019,"issues":722,"granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":52.8},{"year":2020,"issues":662,"granted_pct":12.7,"denied_pct":31.7,"remanded_pct":53.6},{"year":2021,"issues":639,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":36,"remanded_pct":48.4},{"year":2022,"issues":639,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":56.2},{"year":2023,"issues":781,"granted_pct":13.7,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":55.4},{"year":2024,"issues":701,"granted_pct":17.7,"denied_pct":31.5,"remanded_pct":49.2},{"year":2025,"issues":672,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":36.8,"remanded_pct":43.6},{"year":2026,"issues":230,"granted_pct":21.7,"denied_pct":37,"remanded_pct":40.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":65.3,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":979,"granted_pct_with":52.7,"granted_pct_without":22.2},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":4305,"granted_pct_with":28.7,"granted_pct_without":34.5},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":960,"granted_pct_with":55.6,"granted_pct_without":22.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":2705,"granted_pct_with":26.3,"granted_pct_without":33.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":1453,"granted_pct_with":37.4,"granted_pct_without":26.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":232,"granted_pct_with":42.6,"granted_pct_without":28.7},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":4750,"granted_pct_with":30.2,"granted_pct_without":24.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":242,"granted_pct_with":52.5,"granted_pct_without":28.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":746,"granted_pct_with":39.6,"granted_pct_without":27.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":39},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":13},{"reason":"in-service head injury documented","decisions":9},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":5},{"reason":"va failed to meet burden of proof for reduction","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":236},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":173},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":53},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":50},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":49},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":44}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"26005054","year":2026,"judge":"ARDIE A. BLAND","rationale":"Visual spatial impairment not compensated by PTSD rating; Mild impairment approximated Level 2 criteria for 40% rating"},{"case_id":"A26038557","year":2026,"judge":"COLLEEN M. GLASER-ALLEN","rationale":"Separate ratings warranted due to differentiated symptomology; TBI symptoms include memory, attention, concentration, and executive function deficits; 40 percent rating granted for TBI residuals"},{"case_id":"A26037018","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"New and relevant evidence submitted post-denial; VA treatment records show post-concussive syndrome diagnosis; Private nexus opinion establishes link to in-service head injury; Veteran testimony corroborates in-service injury and continuity of symptoms"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040801","year":2026,"judge":"MELANIE J. MANN","rationale":"No evidence beyond Veteran's testimony of TBI.; No competent medical evidence of TBI diagnosis or nexus to service.; Veteran not competent to provide medical nexus opinion."},{"case_id":"A26040284","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID H. ROBERTSON","rationale":"No current diagnosis of TBI.; Veteran admitted to negative MRI for TBI.; No evidence of functional impairment of earning capacity."},{"case_id":"26005052","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for TBI complaints or diagnosis.; No TBI reported during post-service PTSD examination.; Veteran's assertions of in-service head injury found not credible.; No current diagnosis of TBI or symptoms causing functional impairment."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}