Australia's Korean War Veterans Studies

This policy replaces the following VPPM 5 and PPM policies: Australia's Korean War Veterans Mortality Study (AKWVMS) - Disability Benefits and Australia's Korean War Veterans Cancer Incidence Study - Disability Benefits.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guiding principles for the adjudication of disability benefit applications relating to claims for conditions recognized by either Australia's Korean War Veterans Cancer Incidence Study or Australia’s Korean War Veterans Mortality Study.

Policy

Eligibility

1. This policy is applicable to those Canadian Korean Veterans who served in Korea between July 5,1950 and April 30, 1956.

Illnesses/Medical Conditions Accepted by VAC as Associated with Service in Korea

2. VAC may grant disability benefit entitlement to Canadian Korean War Veterans, who served in Korea, for the types of conditions identified below:
   1. Primary malignant neoplasms (including "in situ" neoplasms) of the following sites:
      1. Primary malignant neoplasms of the head and neck - includes only the following sites:
         • lip (excludes skin of the lip)
         • tongue
         • salivary glands
         • gums
         • mouth
         • tonsils
         • oropharynx
         • nasopharynx; and
         • hypopharynx
      2. Primary malignant neoplasms of the larynx
      3. Primary malignant neoplasms of the trachea
      4. Primary malignant neoplasms of the lung
      5. Primary malignant neoplasms of the esophagus which includes:
         • gastroesophageal junction
         • squamous cell carcinoma of the cardia of the stomach
      6. Primary malignant neoplasms of the colon
      7. Primary malignant neoplasms of the rectum and anus (excludes skin of the anus)
      8. Primary malignant neoplasms of the prostate
      9. Malignant melanoma of the skin
   2. Malignant melanomas of the following sites:
      1. skin of the lip
      2. skin of the anus
   3. Other General Medical Conditions:
      1. Chronic obstructive lung disease (includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
      2. Ischemic heart disease
      3. Cerebrovascular disease

References

Pension Act, subsection 5(3) and 21(1)

Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, sections 43, 45

Benefit of Doubt

Disability Benefits in respect of Wartime and Special Duty Service – The Insurance Principle