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Polycythemia vera
Diagnostic code 7704 · Hemic and lymphatic systems · 38 CFR 4.117
Rating criteria: the exact regulation text
Quoted from 38 CFR 4.117. The "Rating" column is the percentage VA assigns for that level.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| 7704 Polycythemia vera: | |
| Requiring peripheral blood or bone marrow stem-cell transplant or chemotherapy (including myelosuppressants) for the purpose of ameliorating the symptom burden | 100 |
| Requiring phlebotomy 6 or more times per 12-month period or molecularly targeted therapy for the purpose of controlling RBC count | 60 |
| Requiring phlebotomy 4-5 times per 12-month period, or if requiring continuous biologic therapy or myelosuppressive agents, to include interferon, to maintain platelets <200,000 or white blood cells (WBC) <12,000 | 30 |
| Requiring phlebotomy 3 or fewer times per 12-month period or if requiring biologic therapy or interferon on an intermittent basis as needed to maintain all blood values at reference range levels | 10 |
| Note (1): Rate complications such as hypertension, gout, stroke, or thrombotic disease separately | |
| Note (2): If the condition undergoes leukemic transformation, evaluate as leukemia under diagnostic code 7703 | |
| Note (3): A 100 percent evaluation shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission for peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant; or during the period of treatment with chemotherapy (including myelosuppressants). Six months following hospital discharge or, in the case of chemotherapy treatment, six months after completion of treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any reduction in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter | |
Where else the regulation mentions this code
These lines appear under other codes or headings in the schedule and name this code.
Note (3): Evaluate residuals of leukemia or leukemia therapy under the appropriate diagnostic code(s). Myeloproliferative Disorders: (Diagnostic Codes 7704, 7718, 7719)
Under diagnostic code 7703 (Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia))
Related codes in the regulation
- 7703 Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia)Rated using
- 7703 Leukemia (except for chronic myelogenous leukemia)Mentioned together
The VA exam form for this condition
VA examiners record their findings on a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). Reading it shows you what the exam will measure and ask.
Rules that apply to this body system
Where this comes from
38 CFR 4.117, VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, from the official eCFR.
Regulation text current as of October 16, 2026.
Change history for this code (38 CFR Part 4, Appendix A): Evaluation October 23, 1995; evaluation December 9, 2018.
Read it on eCFR.govInformation, not advice
This page shows the text of VA's rating regulation for information. It is not a rating estimate, and it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides every rating on the evidence in your file.
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