It used to be that only those veterans who served along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea between April 1968 and July 1969 were eligible for VA health care and disability benefits if they had illnesses caused by exposure to Agent Orange. This regulation has now changed.
The Veterans Administration (VA) has published a final regulation that expands those dates so that more veterans claiming illnesses caused from Agent Orange can access the benefits they need. Now it can be assumed without proof that veterans who served between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, in units that operated in areas where Agent Orange was sprayed, were, indeed, exposed to the controversial herbicide.
The new regulation will make it easier for these veterans to get through the application process for benefits because they will no longer have to prove that their illness is associated with their military service.
In a recent press release, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said, “VA’s primary mission is to be an advocate for Veterans. With this new regulation VA has cleared a path for more Veterans who served in the demilitarized zone in Korea to receive access to our quality health care and disability benefits for exposure to Agent Orange.”
The VA is encouraging veterans who served in Korea during this time period to file for disability compensation if they have presumptive illnesses related to Agent Orange.
Alpha applauds the VA’s efforts to help more fellow veterans who have been struggling to get the benefits they deserve. If you are such a veteran, our Alpha advocates can help you get started and will make sure that you get the most compensation possible from the VA. Contact us if you would like our help.
Note: All representation coordinated by Alpha is provided by our employees, the Advocates, who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). No private organization that trains and employs accredited agents has been legally recognized by the VA for the purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. This work must be done by the Advocates themselves and not organizations.
1 comment on “More Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange in Korea Can Access VA Health Care and Disability Benefits”
Still don’t cover many veterans who were exposed before and after 68 to 71. The admit to spraying, they admit that the dioxins reside in the soil for decades. But won’t admit that soldiers spent another 20 years rolling around in that soil. Now many of us vets who served from 72 to 91 are ailing from Agent Orange illnesses….. VA needs to get it correct!!!!!