Korean War Veterans

For more information, click on the campaign ribbon as well as the various links below:

Rockland County, New York has a local Veterans Service Agency located at 20 Squadron Blvd., Suite 480, New City, New York.  Call to set up an appointment with one of the veteran counselors at 845-638-5244.  It is staffed by veterans.  

The New York State Division of Veterans' Services is New York's advocacy agency for all Veterans, Service Members, and their families.  For over seven decades, the Division has connected generations of Veterans, Service Members, and their families and dependents to multiple economic, medical, and social benefits and services earned because of their military service.  For more information on Veteran's benefits, please make an appointment with a Veterans Benefits Advisor.  https://veterans.ny.gov  

A few locations where you can find New York State Division of Veterans' Services offices:   New York State Division of Veterans’ Services - VA Medical Center, P.O. Box 100 P.O. Box 100 2094 Albany Post Road Building 1 – Room 18 Montrose , NY 10548 Phone: (914) 788-4367  New York State Division of Veterans’ Services - West Point US Military Academy (every other Friday) 622 Swift Road Building 622, Room 113 West Point , NY 10996 Phone: (845) 831-2000 ext 215449   Orange County Veterans Service Agency 111 Craigville Road Goshen , NY 10924 Phone: (845) 291-2470

Korean War Veterans

https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-korea.asp

Korean War Veterans

Approximately 5.7 million Veterans served in the Korean War. Korean War Veterans are more prone to suffer from disabilities related to cold injures as a result of exposure to severe cold climates. Cold weather accounted for 16% of Army non-battle injuries and over 5,000 U.S. casualties of cold injury required evacuation from Korea during the winter of 1950-1951. In many instances, Servicemembers could not seek or were unable to obtain medical care for cold injuries because of battlefield conditions.

VA Benefits

Korean War Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

Information for Korean War Veterans

The following sections provide information tailored to the experiences of Korean War Veterans to help you better understand specific VA benefits for which you may qualify.

Benefits for Korean War Veterans Who Experience Cold Injuries

Veterans who experienced cold injuries may have medical conditions resulting from a cold-related disease or injury. Examples of cold-related medical conditions include: skin cancer in frostbite scars, arthritis, fallen arches, stiff toes, and cold sensitization. These cold-related problems may worsen as Veterans grow older and develop complicating conditions such as diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, which place them at higher risk for leg amputations.

Benefits for Korean War Veterans Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

Korean War era Veterans may qualify for health care and compensation benefits if you were exposed to ionizing radiation during military service. Health care services include an Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam and clinical treatment at VA's War Related Illness and Injury Study Centers. You may also be entitled to disability compensation benefits if you have certain cancers as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during military service.

Benefits for Korean War Veterans Who Participated in Radiation-Risk Activities

Korean War era Veterans may qualify for health care and compensation benefits if you participated in certain radiation-risk activities, such as nuclear weapons testing, during military service. These Veterans may be informally referred to as "Atomic Veterans". Health care services include an Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam and clinical treatment at VA's War Related Illness and Injury Study Centers. You may also be entitled to disability compensation benefits if you have certain cancers as a result of your participation in a radiation-risk activity during military service.

How to Apply for VA Benefits

The specific VA benefit or program web page will provide tailored information about how to apply for a particular benefit or program. Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below:

Apply online using eBenefits, OR

Work with an accredited representative or agent, OR

Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page.

Korean Demilitarized Zone and Agent Orange Exposure

Defoliated Korean DMZ, 1968

US Army

Veterans who served in a unit in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) anytime between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971 are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. These Veterans do not have to show they were exposed to Agent Orange to be eligible for disability compensation for these diseases.  VA and the Department of Defense must determine that the Veteran’s unit operated in the DMZ area and the Veteran was physically there.

VA Benefits

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care, and disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits.  VA can help determine eligible service in the Korean demilitarized zone after you file a claim for compensation benefits.

VA Publication with information about VA Benefits: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/2021_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_survivors.pdf