Mayo Clinic defines Epilepsy as follows “Epilepsy is a central nervous system (Neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.”
After all anyone can develop epilepsy it can affect both females and males, also it can affect all ages, all races, or ethnic backgrounds.
Epilepsy seizures symptoms can vary widely, while some people who suffer from epilepsy attacks state blankly for a few seconds during their seizures, others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs or both.
The truth is that epilepsy seizure symptoms can range from simple starting spells or convulsions or a total loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy seizures are generally classified into two groups:
GENERALIZED: It is characterized by abnormal electrical impulses which is distributed broadly throughout the human brain.
PARTIAL (A/K/A) FOCAL OR LOCALIZED: It is characterized by electrical impulses localized within a specific part of the human brain.
SYMPTOMS: Epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, these seizures which can affect any process of the brain which coordinates (seizures, signs any symptoms may include:
- Temporary confusion
- A staring spell
- Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
- Loss of consciousness or awareness
- Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu
Yet, in most cases, a person with epilepsy tends to have the same type of seizure each time, which means that their symptoms will be similar in each episode.
Doctors in the medical record will classify the seizures as focal or generalized.
MEDICAL EVIDENCE YOU WILL NEED TO GET SOCIAL
SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR EPILEPSY
Your epilepsy may not be considered as a disabling condition if it is being controlled by medication according to your doctor’s records which is another reason why you should always review your doctor’s records and never assume that they are correct or complete, you may be surprised.
Let us start that when you submit your application for Social Security disability and you mention your epilepsy as a condition that prevents you from working, depending on where you place your application it may be reviews by a medical examiner, who will be looking for the following from your medical records:
- Diagnosis
- Description of the seizure (pre & post symptoms)
- Witness statements
- Records maintaining the frequency of past seizures
- EEG results
- History of the treatment, including medications
Notice that I said that your application can be reviewed by a non-medical person who is given a limited matter the truth is that they are looking at your age, education, past relevant jobs, and others.
In truth these adjudicators who will decide your initial application and your reconsideration requests, are barred to consider Social Security Medical Listings in particular 11.02 in which the Social Security states as follows:
11.02 Epilepsy, documents by a detailed description of a typical seizure and characterized by A, B, C, or D:
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (see 00H1a), occurring at least once a month for at least 3 consecutive months (see 11.00H1b), despite adherence to prescribed treatment (see 11.00C).
OR
- Dyscognitive seizures (see 00H1b), occurring at least once a week for at least 3 consecutive months (see 11.00H4) despite adherence to prescribed treatment (see 11.00C).
OR
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (see 00H1a), occurring at least once every 2 months for at least 4 consecutive months (see 11.00H4) despite adherence to prescribed treatment (see 11.00C); and a marked limitation in one of the following:
- Physical functioning (see 00G3a); or
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information (see 03b(i)); or
- Interacting with others (see 11.00G3b(ii)); or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace (see 00G3b(iii)); or
- Adapting or managing oneself (see 00G3b(iv)).
OR
- Dyscognitive seizures (see 00H1b), occurring at least once every 2 weeks for at least 3 consecutive months (see 11.00H4) despite adherence to prescribed treatment (see 11.00C); and a marked limitation in one of the following:
- Physical functioning (see 00G3a); or
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information (see 03b(i)); or
- Interacting with others (see 11.00G3b(ii)); or
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace (see 00G3b(iii)); or
- Adapting or managing oneself (see 00G3b(iv)).
And in Social Security Medical Listing 11.00 defines what the above means which you can find in this listing.
Please do not feel bad if you do not understand this Medical Listing, in particular since you fully understand your condition and epilepsy and this makes no sense, trust me you are not the first person to tell me so after all this Medical Listing has truly little to do with epilepsy and more to do with its adjudication.
As an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney who clearly understands the epilepsy disability claim process, I am willing to set a phone or in person free consultative for you so we can discuss your questions, concerns with me by calling 407-894-4779. Call today do no waste any time to do so.