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Contracting/developing polycythemia vera

Posted by robinll @robinll, Jul 4, 2024

There is no known cause for developing Polycythemia Vera but I suspect that maybe too much exposure to radiation might bring on this blood disorder. I have over my lifetime, I was 71 when the first signs that my PLT count was way over what it should be, I have had more than the ordinary amount of X-Rays. That possibility was suggested by my Hematologist when I asked what might be the cause for this disease. Does anyone with PV have a similar over-exposure to Radiation?

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zacc74 | @zacc74 | 19 hours ago

I served in the military for twenty years and was diagnosed with PCV about three years after I retired. I know that there is no known cause for it, but I can’t help but think that something I was exposed to either through immunizations or locations I was stationed or deployed to led to my diagnosis at an earlier than average age. I want to put a VA claim in but I don’t know where to start to try for a service connection. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 15 hours ago
In reply to @zacc74 "I served in the military for twenty years and was diagnosed with PCV about three years..." + (show)
Profile picture for zacc74 @zacc74

I served in the military for twenty years and was diagnosed with PCV about three years after I retired. I know that there is no known cause for it, but I can’t help but think that something I was exposed to either through immunizations or locations I was stationed or deployed to led to my diagnosis at an earlier than average age. I want to put a VA claim in but I don’t know where to start to try for a service connection. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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@zacc74 you could be right, especially if you were in combat.
My husband filed a claim, tried to reach out, waited and got form letters. Rinse and repeat. Then I reached out to service officer from the American legion. My husband had his claim rated within a few weeks. I wished I had known that three years earlier when he first claimed.
The best advice I can say is ask for help, and information from one of the service organizations. These people are trained to help, and know which buttons to push.

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swalex | @swalex | 13 hours ago
In reply to @zacc74 "I served in the military for twenty years and was diagnosed with PCV about three years..." + (show)
Profile picture for zacc74 @zacc74

I served in the military for twenty years and was diagnosed with PCV about three years after I retired. I know that there is no known cause for it, but I can’t help but think that something I was exposed to either through immunizations or locations I was stationed or deployed to led to my diagnosis at an earlier than average age. I want to put a VA claim in but I don’t know where to start to try for a service connection. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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@zacc74
Hi.
You say, “I know that there is no known cause for it,” but that’s your belief—not necessarily an established fact.
I also have PCV, and I’ve researched this subject extensively.

Here are some hints:
Polycythemia Vera (PV): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and the Role of JAK2 Mutations
https://swaresearch.blogspot.com/2025/02/polycythemia-vera-pv-causes-symptoms.html
Medications to Avoid in Blood Disorders: A Focus on ADAMTS13 Deficiency, Erythrocytosis, and Polycythemia Vera
https://swaresearch.blogspot.com/2025/10/medications-to-avoid-in-blood-disorders.html

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