Secondary Conditions of Traumatic Brain Injury
Secondary conditions are conditions that are caused by another service-connected condition, like a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
All secondary conditions of TBI can be service-connected as long as they are clearly proven to be the direct result of the TBI. This burden of proof can sometimes be difficult, however, so the VA has made a list of 5 conditions that are automatically considered secondary to TBI if they meet the following criteria:
- Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism (which is rated analogously with Parkinson’s disease) qualify as long as they develop any time after a moderate or severe TBI.
3. Dementia (specifically Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies) qualifies if it develops within 15 years after a moderate or severe TBI.
4. Depression qualifies if it develops within 3 years of moderate or severe TBI or within 12 months of mild TBI.
5. Hormone deficiencies caused by damage to either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus qualify if symptoms develop within 12 months of moderate or severe TBI.
If your secondary condition qualifies to be rated under TBI, it is rated on the TBI Rating System.
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