When trying to get service connection for a seizure disorder like epilepsy or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, veterans need to submit evidence to the VA to support their claim. One of the most useful types of evidence veterans can submit is a seizure log. A seizure log is a chronological record of all the seizures a veteran experiences in a set period of time.
Seizure logs can be kept in any format, but handwritten lists, Excel, and calendar formats are the easiest to maintain and understand. In this log, veterans should keep track of the date and time their seizures occur, the duration of the seizures, the type of seizure (if applicable), and any observations from during the seizure or while recovering from the seizure. Keeping track of pre- and post-seizure behavior or symptoms can also be helpful and aid the veteran in identifying any triggers or warning signs that a seizure is going to occur.
An example of a seizure log can be seen below:
| Date | Time | Length of Seizure | Type of Seizure | Pre-Ictal Observations | Seizure Observations | Recovery Observations |
| 2/26 | 12:00 | 3 minutes | Tonic-clonic | – | – | No injury |
| 3/5 | 9:00 | 5 minutes | Tonic-clonic | aura | – | Bumped head |
| 3/24 | 11:00 | 2 minutes | Tonic-clonic | aura | – | No injury |
| 4/1 | 8:00 | 6 minutes | Absence | – | – | – |
Seizure logs provide the VA with excellent evidence of the severity of a veteran’s seizure disorder. That is why it is incredibly important that veterans who are keeping a seizure log note every single seizure they have. When rating a veteran’s seizure disorder, the VA uses frequency as the main determining factor for assigning a schedular disability rating. Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, the rating schedule for major and minor epileptic seizures is as follows:
General Rating Formula for Major and Minor Epileptic Seizures:
- 100 – Averaging at least 1 major seizure per month over the last year
- 80 – Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 3 months over the last year; or more than 10 minor seizures weekly
- 60 – Averaging at least 1 major seizure in 4 months over the last year; or 9-10 minor seizures per week
- 40 – At least 1 major seizure in the last 6 months or 2 in the last year; or averaging at least 5 to 8 minor seizures weekly
- 20 – At least 1 major seizure in the last 2 years; or at least 2 minor seizures in the last 6 months
- 10 – A confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures
Additionally, seizure logs can be helpful to a doctor or caretaker so they can better understand the severity of the veteran’s condition and help the veteran put together a more suitable care plan to try and get his or her seizures under control.
Help With Your Seizure Disorder Claim
If you are a veteran seeking assistance with your seizure disorder VA claim, please contact our office today. Our veterans disability attorneys are experienced in getting veterans with seizure disorders the compensation they are entitled to and are ready to help.
