Sallan57

Back in the late 80s early 90s when I was 30-35 I would try to donate at our employers Blood Bank and would be turned away as being anemic (low iron). In 2000 on a fluke job change physical, at Kaiser Permanete in San Diego, Dr. Vincent Felitti a renowned physician and hemochromitosis expert at the time, just so happened to randomly screen my blood for feritin (iron) levels and was diagnosed with hemochromitosis. For about 15 yrs I did quarterly phebotomies. Now 8 yrs later my VA oncologist says my bloodwork shows feritin, thus my hemochromatosis, is under control. My best friend never knew he had it until he was 50 and needed a hear, liver and kidney, transplants. He died less than a year later on the waiting list. I know of no other way a person can contract the condition other than genetic? I note from previous discussions on articles from various sites that the VA has disability ratings for hemochromatosis. My question is: how can a veteran claim hemochromatosis as service connected? Seems impossible to claim as a secondary condition also. I did read where certain solvents and/or chemicals may cause hemochromatosis? Depending on certain factors its considered a social security disability. Does anybody have a reference as to why hemochromatosis is considered a VA disability? Thank you