Body system: Hemic and Lymphatic SystemsRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.117DBQ: DBQ HEM Hematologic and Lymphatic Conditions, Including Leukemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder where your red blood cells become crescent-shaped instead of round, causing them to get stuck in blood vessels and break apart. The VA rates this condition based on how many painful episodes (called crises) you experience per year and how much the symptoms limit your ability to work. Ratings range from 10% for cases in remission with some organ damage, up to 100% for frequent severe episodes that prevent you from doing any physical work.
Rating levels
- 100% — You must have at least 4 painful episodes each year that affect your skin, joints, bones, or major organs, all caused by your sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow and breaking down. These episodes must be severe enough that they leave you with ongoing symptoms that prevent you from doing any type of work, even light desk jobs or simple manual tasks.
- 60% — You qualify for this rating if you have at least 3 painful sickle cell episodes (also called crises, where your blood cells block blood flow causing severe pain) in a 12-month period. You also qualify if your sickle cell symptoms are so severe that you can only do light manual work - meaning you can't perform jobs that require heavy lifting, prolonged standing, or physically demanding tasks.
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if you experience 1 or 2 painful sickle cell crises (episodes where your red blood cells become misshapen and block blood flow, causing severe pain) within a 12-month period. These episodes are significant enough to require medical attention or interfere with your daily activities.
- 10% — You have sickle cell anemia that isn't currently causing symptoms (asymptomatic means no pain crises, fatigue, or other active problems), and your condition is stable or controlled (in remission). However, medical tests or exams show that the disease has caused some damage to your organs like your spleen, kidneys, or other body parts, even though you're not experiencing problems from that damage right now.