# Understanding the Korean American VALOR Act

This bill recognizes Korean soldiers who fought alongside American forces during the Vietnam War and gives them access to U.S. Veterans Affairs health care benefits. During the Vietnam War, South Korea sent over 300,000 troops to fight in Vietnam as allies of the United States. Many of these Korean soldiers were wounded or exposed to Agent Orange and other hazards of war, but they've never been officially recognized as U.S. veterans, which means they couldn't access the VA health care system that American veterans receive.

The bill fixes this by allowing Korean veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 to receive the same VA health care benefits as American veterans. This means they could get treatment for service-related injuries, illnesses from chemical exposure, mental health services, and other medical care through the VA system. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would determine who qualifies based on their military service records. Essentially, the government is saying these Korean soldiers who fought for the same cause as American troops deserve the same medical support.

This change affects a specific group of aging Korean veterans who are now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Many are living in the United States or South Korea and have been dealing with war-related health issues for decades without access to specialized VA care. By opening up these benefits, the bill acknowledges their sacrifice and provides them with medical resources they've been denied for nearly 50 years. It's a relatively narrow change that impacts a defined group of foreign military personnel rather than a broad population, but for those Korean veterans and their families, it represents long-overdue recognition and access to care.

Korean American VALOR Act

Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]

Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act or the Korean American VALOR Act This bill expands eligibility for specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits (e.g., medical and dental care) to certain veterans of the armed forces of South Korea who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or during a time period determined by the VA. The bill authorizes the VA to furnish such benefits under an existing law, which requires (1) a request by South Korea, and (2) a reciprocity agreement that provides for reimbursement of expenses incurred by the VA for the provision of care.