I’m going through the VA process for recurrent syncope and trying to understand how similar cases have been rated.
My episodes involve complete loss of consciousness with loss of postural control. They occur in multiple positions (standing, sitting, and at rest), sometimes with warning and sometimes without. There is a post-episode recovery period with confusion and fatigue.
I have documented safety restrictions, including driving and work limitations due to the unpredictability and frequency.
My cardiology specialist summarized it as:
“Although the patient does not experience convulsive activity, the episodes involve complete loss of consciousness with sudden collapse and loss of protective reflexes. From a functional perspective — particularly with regard to safety risk, unpredictability, and impact on daily living and employability — these episodes are equivalent in severity to major seizure activity.”
This condition and the episode pattern were documented in my medical records before the MEB process began.
I understand syncope is often rated analogously under the seizure criteria. My main question is whether cases like this have been rated at the major seizure level despite no convulsions, based on loss of consciousness and frequency.
For anyone with experience:
• Were you rated under minor or major criteria?
• Did the absence of convulsions matter in your case?
• What evidence seemed to influence the decision most (frequency documentation, restrictions, specialist opinion, etc.)?
Not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences with how the VA applied the criteria.
Thanks.
My episodes involve complete loss of consciousness with loss of postural control. They occur in multiple positions (standing, sitting, and at rest), sometimes with warning and sometimes without. There is a post-episode recovery period with confusion and fatigue.
I have documented safety restrictions, including driving and work limitations due to the unpredictability and frequency.
My cardiology specialist summarized it as:
“Although the patient does not experience convulsive activity, the episodes involve complete loss of consciousness with sudden collapse and loss of protective reflexes. From a functional perspective — particularly with regard to safety risk, unpredictability, and impact on daily living and employability — these episodes are equivalent in severity to major seizure activity.”
This condition and the episode pattern were documented in my medical records before the MEB process began.
I understand syncope is often rated analogously under the seizure criteria. My main question is whether cases like this have been rated at the major seizure level despite no convulsions, based on loss of consciousness and frequency.
For anyone with experience:
• Were you rated under minor or major criteria?
• Did the absence of convulsions matter in your case?
• What evidence seemed to influence the decision most (frequency documentation, restrictions, specialist opinion, etc.)?
Not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences with how the VA applied the criteria.
Thanks.