Listing 11.02
Epilepsy
This listing covers epilepsy — repeated seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA looks for a detailed written description of a typical seizure and proof that seizures keep happening at a certain rate even though you take your medicine as prescribed. There are four paths (A, B, C, or D) based on the seizure type and how often they happen; you only need to meet one path. Psychogenic (non-epileptic) seizures do not count under this listing.
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What Listing 11.02 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 4 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- You have full-body convulsive (tonic-clonic) seizures at least once a month for 3 months in a row, even though you take your seizure medicine as prescribed.
- Only one of paths A, B, C, or D is needed.
Read the original wording
You have full-body convulsive (tonic-clonic) seizures at least once a month for 3 months in a row, even though you take your seizure medicine as prescribed. Only one of paths A, B, C, or D is needed.
(Listing 11.02, criterion A)
- You have dyscognitive seizures (blank staring, altered awareness without convulsions) at least once a week for 3 months in a row, despite taking prescribed treatment.
- Only one path is needed.
Read the original wording
You have dyscognitive seizures (blank staring, altered awareness without convulsions) at least once a week for 3 months in a row, despite taking prescribed treatment. Only one path is needed.
(Listing 11.02, criterion B)
- You have tonic-clonic seizures at least once every 2 months for 4 months despite treatment, AND you have a serious (marked) limitation in physical functioning or in one area of mental functioning.
- Only one path is needed.
Read the original wording
You have tonic-clonic seizures at least once every 2 months for 4 months despite treatment, AND you have a serious (marked) limitation in physical functioning or in one area of mental functioning. Only one path is needed.
(Listing 11.02, criterion C)
- You have dyscognitive seizures at least once every 2 weeks for 3 months despite treatment, AND a marked limitation in physical functioning or one area of mental functioning.
- Only one path is needed.
Read the original wording
You have dyscognitive seizures at least once every 2 weeks for 3 months despite treatment, AND a marked limitation in physical functioning or one area of mental functioning. Only one path is needed.
(Listing 11.02, criterion D)
How long it must last:
- Seizures must occur at the required frequency for the listed consecutive-month period (3 or 4 months) despite at least 3 months of adherence to prescribed treatment; the counting period cannot begin earlier than one month after treatment started.
- The impairment must generally be expected to last at least 12 months.
Read the original wording
Seizures must occur at the required frequency for the listed consecutive-month period (3 or 4 months) despite at least 3 months of adherence to prescribed treatment; the counting period cannot begin earlier than one month after treatment started. The impairment must generally be expected to last at least 12 months.