Opinion ID: 2826272
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Veterans Benefits Act of 2003

Text: During the Vietnam War, herbicides were applied near the Korean DMZ from April 1968 to July 1969. In 2003, Congress passed the Veterans Benefits Act, which authorized benefits for children with spina bifida born to certain Korean service veterans. Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, Pub. L. No. 108-183, 117 Stat. 2651 (2003) (codified at 38 U.S.C. § 1821). In relevant part, the Act defines “a veteran of covered service in Korea” as “any individual” who: (1) served “in or near” the Korean DMZ as determined by the Secretary of the VA, in consultation with the Department of Defense (“DoD”), between September 1, 1967 and August 31, 1971; and (2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the DoD, “to have been exposed to a herbicide agent during such service in or near the Korean [DMZ].” 38 U.S.C. § 1821(c). Although Congress knew that herbicide use near the Korean DMZ ended in 1969, it extended the covered period through August 1971 to account for residual exposure. See 149 Cong. Rec. S15133-01 (daily ed. Nov. 19, 2003) (“[E]ven though herbicide use in or near the Korean DMZ ended in 1969, the Committees believe it is appropriate to extend the qualifying service period beyond 1969 to account for residual exposure.”).