VA Disability Ratings for Seizures and Their Types

VA Disability Ratings for Seizures and Their Types

Posted On: Jun 02, 2023

If you have experienced seizures during military service. You must know the VA disability ratings for this condition. The VA disability system may affect your quality of life and capacity to work if you've been diagnosed with seizures.

In this detailed manual, we'll look at the many types of seizures and how the VA assigns disability ratings based on these variables.

What are Seizures?

Symptoms of this condition, which are rapid, unrestrained electrical disruptions in the brain, can occur in many different ways. The following are but are not limited to, common symptoms include:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Severe shaking of the body
  • Drooling
  • Mumbling
  • Falling down
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Confusion
  • Sweating
  • Inappropriate behavior

There is a wide range of possible intensity and duration, from a few seconds to a few minutes. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), epilepsy, and certain medications cause this condition.

Types of Seizures:

Abrupt seizures and uncontrolled electrical disruptions in the brain may produce various symptoms. Generalized seizures and focal seizures are the two most common types.

Generalized Seizures:

They affect both sides of the brain and may result in consciousness and convulsions. Generalized seizures are also called “Major Seizures”. Their types include:

  • Tonic-Clonic Seizures
  • Absence Seizures
  • Atonic Seizures

Focal Seizures:

Focal seizures, also called “Minor seizures”. Certain brain areas are affected, which may or may not lead to consciousness. There are two distinct categories for this condition:

  • Simple Focal Seizures
  • Complex Focal Seizures

VA Disability Ratings for Seizures:

The VA considers your seizure's frequency, duration, and severity when deciding if you should receive disability benefits. They are associated with the following VA disability ratings:

  • Frequency
  • Duration
  • Postictal Period

Remember that the VA considers the frequency and severity of this condition when determining disability ratings. Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating higher levels of functional disability.

How The VA Rates Seizures?

Rating Percentage
Major Seizures
Minor Seizures

100%

12 or more in the past year

N/A

80%

4-11 in the past year

11 or more per week

60%

3 in the past year

9-10 per week

40%

2 in the past year

5-8 per week

20%

1 in the past 2 years

2 in the past 6 months

10%

Requires constant medication to control seizures or there is a definite diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures

Requires constant medication to control seizures or there is a definite diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures

Applying for VA Disability Benefits:

Medical documentation connecting your seizures to your military service is required to claim VA disability benefits for its condition.

Diagnosis, seizure description, and treatment history are all vital information to compile. Your case will be strengthened by speaking with a medical professional treating this condition.

Filing a Claim:

To be eligible for VA disability benefits due to the condition, you must demonstrate extensive medical evidence supporting your VA claims. Your military service or a service-connected condition should be linked to these conditions based on the evidence shown here.

Your claim must be supported by evidence. So be sure to obtain medical records, doctor's notes, and anything else that might be helpful.

Final Thoughts:

Veterans may be debilitated by epilepsy. Understanding the VA disability rating system and seizure types is vital to receiving benefits. If you or a loved one has seizures due to military service, contact groups that aid veterans with VA disability claims.

When submitting a claim, collect all medical evidence and clearly describe how seizures disrupt your everyday life.