Social Security disability cases involving seizure disorders (both grand mal, or tonic clonic, and petit mal) can be some of the toughest to win. This is because many of these cases hinge on exactly how often you have a seizure. To read more about the Social Security’s Listing regarding seizures, you can visit Social Security’s website here. Often your medical records will reflect that you have the disorder and the underlying cause for your seizures. However, many fail to show just how often you have a seizure. Most people don’t run to the doctor every time they have a seizure. Therefore, your medical records just don’t show how often you have a seizure, and it’s your burden to prove you’re disabled. There are some things you can do to increase your chances of winning your Social Security disability case:
1. Take your medicine!
2. Keep a seizure calendar. Every time you have a seizure, write it down. If someone witnesses the seizure, have them also initial your calendar.
3. Tell your doctor exactly how many seizures you are having and what happens when you have a seizure.
4. Tell your attorney if someone else knows about your seizures and has seen you have seizures. This person may be able to offer very helpful testimony at your hearing.
I was able to win a case for a claimant with a seizure disorder recently because of these reasons. Her doctor made detailed notes about the type of seizures she was having and lab results showed that her medication was present at therapeutic levels. Her friend testified at her hearing regarding the seizures that she had seen the claimant have and the details about what happens when the claimant has a seizure. Ultimately, the most important thing about winning any case is documenting your medical problems. So remember, help yourself and your attorney by keeping a good records of your medical treatment and seizures.