§ 4.117 Schedule of ratings—hemic and lymphatic systems.

Sickle cell anemia

An inherited blood disorder causing red blood cells to become crescent-shaped, leading to pain and anemia.

What the rating means

VA rates sickle cell anemia under diagnostic code 7714. The rating depends on how often you have painful episodes in a 12-month period and how severely your symptoms limit the kind of work you can do.

A 100% rating applies when you have 4 or more painful episodes per year affecting the skin, joints, bones, or major organs — caused by hemolysis and sickling of red blood cells, with anemia, thrombosis, and infarction — and your residual symptoms prevent even light manual labor. A 60% rating applies when you have 3 painful episodes per year, or when your symptoms limit you to no more than light manual labor. A 30% rating applies when you have 1 or 2 painful episodes per year. A 10% rating applies when the condition is established but currently in remission with no active symptoms, as long as there is identifiable organ impairment.

One important note: sickle cell trait alone, without a history of directly related medical findings, is not a ratable disability under this code. If you have symptomatic sickle cell trait, your case is forwarded to the Director of Compensation Service for separate consideration.

Evidence that helps

Medical records that document the number of painful episodes you experienced in the past 12 months are central to this rating. Records should show where the pain occurred — skin, joints, bones, or major organs — and confirm the episodes were caused by hemolysis and sickling of red blood cells. Lab results showing anemia, and imaging or clinical findings showing thrombosis or infarction, support the higher rating levels.

For the 100% rating, records or statements showing that residual symptoms prevent even light manual labor carry significant weight. For the 60% rating, evidence of 3 episodes per year or documentation that you are limited to light manual labor is relevant. For the 10% rating, clinical findings or imaging that confirm organ impairment — even when you are currently asymptomatic — help establish that level.

Your own statements, and those of people who know you, describing how episodes affect your ability to work or carry out daily activities can help show the functional impact of your symptoms across rating levels.

Secondary conditions

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.

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What the rating means

Evidence that helps

Secondary conditions

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