Social Security Disability
Epilepsy
Epilepsy, alone, can often be a sound basis for a successful Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim. There are basically two types of epilepsy that are recognized.
- Convulsive epilepsy (grand mal seizures)
- Non-convulsive epilepsy (petit mal seizures)
Simply put, grand mal seizures are a measurement of seizures which often result in loss of consciousness, loss of control of the bowel and/or bladder, frothing of the mouth, biting activity and kicking. Usually, people who have major motor seizures will have significant problems subsequent to the seizure which may last hours or days.
It is very important to have a documented description of the seizure by a third-party who witnessed them and medical documentation as to the frequency and severity of their occurrence.
Minor motor, or petit mal, seizures are also often a significant factor in a disability claim, but once again, it depends upon how often or severe these seizures may be. Petit mal seizures usually have an alteration of awareness or consciousness. People may appear “out of it” for seconds or minutes but usually do not involve loss of consciousness or body functions.
If seizure activity occurs with enough frequency, they may even equal what is called a Social Security Administration “Listing of Impairment,” which is a specific Social Security Regulation outlining certain specified problems including seizure activity.
At Drummond Disability we work with our clients to be sure they document all seizure activity on special calendars supplied by our staff so that an accurate historical basis can be presented in their disability claim.