A blood disorder where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, thickening the blood.
Because the ratings for polycythemia vera turn almost entirely on the type and frequency of treatment, the most important records are those that document exactly what treatment you receive and how often.
For a 100% rating, records showing hospital admission for a stem-cell transplant or documentation of an active chemotherapy or myelosuppressant regimen are central. For a 60% rating, treatment records or infusion logs showing phlebotomy six or more times in any 12-month window, or prescriptions and clinical notes confirming molecularly targeted therapy, directly support that level. For a 30% rating, similar logs showing four to five phlebotomies in 12 months, or records of a continuous prescription for interferon, biologic therapy, or myelosuppressive agents along with lab results showing platelet or white blood cell targets, are the key evidence. For a 10% rating, records reflecting three or fewer phlebotomies per year or intermittent biologic or interferon use tied to maintaining normal reference range values are relevant. Lab results showing your actual red blood cell, platelet, and white blood cell counts help confirm which treatment level your condition requires. Your treating hematologist's notes explaining why a particular treatment was chosen also support the picture.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
