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Epilepsy and other seizure disorders cause recurring seizures. The VA rates them mainly by how often major and minor seizures occur.
VA rating schedule, diagnostic code 8910
The VA recognizes epilepsy and seizure disorders as ratable conditions and evaluates them under its neurological rating rules in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The VA sorts seizures into two main types. A major (grand mal) seizure is a generalized convulsion with loss of consciousness. A minor (petit mal) seizure is a brief interruption in consciousness or conscious control — such as staring, rhythmic blinking, head nodding, or sudden jerking. Which type you have matters, because the VA uses different reference points for each.
Epilepsy is rated using the General Rating Formula for Major and Minor Epileptic Seizures. Diagnostic Code 8910 covers grand mal (rated on major seizures) and Diagnostic Code 8911 covers petit mal (rated on minor seizures). The rating generally scales with how often seizures happen over time — for example, the regulation lists 100% for averaging at least one major seizure per month over the last year, and steps down through 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% as seizures become less frequent, with a 10% level for a confirmed diagnosis and a history of seizures. One note adds that if continuous medication is needed to control epilepsy, the minimum evaluation is 10%; another says that when both major and minor seizures are present, the VA rates the type that predominates.
These ratings rest on the seizures being documented, not just reported. Under 38 CFR § 4.121, to warrant a rating the seizures must be witnessed or verified at some time by a physician, though the VA may accept competent, consistent lay testimony about how often they occur. This is why medical records, witness statements, and a clear seizure history can all be part of a strong file.
This is general educational information about how the VA's rules work — not legal advice, not a VA decision, and not a prediction about any individual claim. Outcomes depend on your own facts and evidence; a denial can be appealed.
Grounded in federal regulations and VA guidance, independently reviewed June 2026. Educational information, not legal advice or a VA determination.
Across 5,877 real Board appeals for Epilepsy & seizure disorders
A denial is often not the end either — remands (shown below) are sent back for more development and can still end in a grant. These are historical outcomes, not a prediction of your case.
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Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Epilepsy & seizure disorders was linked to service:
In appeals where Epilepsy & seizure disorders was the only condition decided and the Board granted it, the rating most often assigned was:
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its residuals, including unsteady gait, somnolence, and cognitive dysfunction. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements about in-service head injuries and subsequent seizures.
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for syncopal episodes, finding that these episodes are secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches.
The Veteran's seizures are granted as secondary to the service-connected scar tissue from a 1969 head surgery.
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, and seizure disorder, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted his TDIU application.
The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective March 27, 2013, as he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since that date.
The Veteran's angioedema, hypertension, seizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid cancer residuals are all service-connected. The rating for angioedema is denied as it meets the maximum evaluation. Hypertension receives a 10 percent rating prior to December 29, 2019 and no higher thereafter. SMC based on need for aid and attendance is granted.
Jump to the decisions from a specific year.
New decisions are added every week, and older years are actively being backfilled — a year that looks thin or missing here (especially 2011–2017) is a gap in our library, not in the Board’s decisions.
Veterans appealing Epilepsy & seizure disorders often look at outcomes for these too:
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.