VA Disability Rating for Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder
Rated 10–100% by frequency and type of seizures. Must be confirmed by physician and diagnosis.
Epilepsy is rated under DC 8910 (grand mal / generalized tonic-clonic) or 8911 (petit mal / absence) using the same General Rating Formula for Major and Minor Epileptic Seizures. Rating is driven by seizure frequency and type. Seizures must be confirmed and observed; vet self-report alone insufficient for higher tiers. Frequently a TBI residual.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | A confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy with a history of seizures. |
| 20% | $356.66 | 1 major seizure during the preceding 2 years, OR 2 minor seizures during the preceding 6 months. |
| 40% | $795.84 | 1 major seizure during the preceding 6 months, OR 2 major seizures, OR 5–8 minor seizures weekly, during the preceding year. |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | 3 major seizures, OR 9–10 minor seizures weekly, during the preceding year. |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | 4 major seizures, OR more than 10 minor seizures weekly, during the preceding year. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | 12 major seizures during the preceding year. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 20%: $356.66/mo · $4,280/year, tax-free
- →At 40%: $795.84/mo · $9,550/year, tax-free
- →At 60%: $1,435.02/mo · $17,220/year, tax-free
- →At 80%: $2,102.15/mo · $25,226/year, tax-free
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for epilepsy / seizure disorder
- EEG, neurology evaluation, and physician-witnessed or hospitalization records of seizures.
- Seizure log — date, type, duration, witnesses.
- Treatment / medication history.
- If post-TBI: file as secondary to service-connected TBI.
Common secondary conditions
- +TBI (frequently parent condition)
- +Depression / anxiety
- +Cognitive impairment
- +Sleep disturbance
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Post-traumatic epilepsy after in-service TBI is a well-recognized residual — file as secondary.
- Document seizures with witness statements (spouse, family, coworker) — VA gives weight to lay observation.
Frequently asked
I have seizures but EEG keeps coming back normal. Can I still be rated?
Yes — many seizure types do not show on routine EEG. Push for ambulatory EEG, video-EEG monitoring, or a documented post-ictal exam. Lay witness statements of seizure events also count toward the rating.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.