Evaluation of the Disability Determination Process for Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans

Abstract

A committee of experts in emergency medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, psychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and epidemiology and biostatistics was convened to address the statement of task. Given the task, the committee found it necessary to review the scientific literature on TBI, gain an understanding of each step of the adjudication process for residuals of TBI (from submission of claims through appeals), and learn what measures the VA has already taken to ensure quality of its process. In this publication the committee provides recommendations to the VA related to the health care specialists who diagnose TBI, the adequacy of the tools used by the VA to provide clinical examinations and disability ratings for TBI residuals (the DBQ and the VASRD), and the overall adjudication process.