The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission: "Injuries During Military Service Should Qualify for Veterans Benefits Even Without Medical Records"

Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Notifies Non-Eligibility for National Merit
Absence of Military Hospital Admission and Treatment Records Cited
Anti-Corruption Commission Conducts Fact-Finding on Injury Causality

A soldier who was injured during military service but was not recognized as a national merit recipient due to the absence of medical records has been determined to be eligible for veterans' benefits.

On the 28th, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) conveyed an opinion to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to reexamine the veteran status of complainant Mr. A, who did not receive veterans' benefits despite a finger amputation accident.

According to the ACRC, Mr. A suffered a finger amputation accident while repairing a military vehicle during his service in 1966. Since 2017, Mr. A applied five times to be registered as a national merit recipient but was denied each time due to the lack of medical records such as hospitalization in a military hospital.

However, based on fact-finding investigations, the ACRC concluded that it is highly likely Mr. A was injured during his military service.

First, the ACRC focused on the fact that Mr. A received a Grade 1 physical examination rating before enlistment and performed vehicle maintenance duties requiring the use of his fingers during service.

Furthermore, considering the military service environment of the 1960s, the ACRC judged that Mr. A may have undergone the amputation surgery at a medical unit rather than a military hospital. They also considered the possibility that unit commanders avoided exposing the accident externally and therefore did not transfer Mr. A to a military hospital.

An ACRC official stated, "It is unreasonable to deny recognition as a veteran solely because there are no internal military medical records. We will seek to protect citizens' rights by finding and comprehensively reviewing various evidence such as past medical history and service records."