Here is a existing bill that would expand wartime pension to Cold War Era Veterans who received AFEM but are ineligible under current VA rules.
EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS TO VETERANS WHO RECEIVED AN EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL FOR A PERIOD OF MILITARY SERVICE OTHER THAN A PERIOD OF WAR.
May 8th 1975 - August 1st 1990 , Feb. 1st 1955 - August 4th 1964 A combined period of 24 years and 9 months of Cold War Era service not currently eligible for VA Pension. Here lies a major injustice. Any service between the above mentioned is not considered war time service. Below is a list of AFEM dates , as one can see all of these places and dates where the Cold War turned hot and there is potential for no VA Pension eligibility. I really believe we should get behind this and or similar legislation.
110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1900
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who received an expeditionary medal during a period of military service other than a period of war.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 17, 2007
Mr. RAHALL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who received an expeditionary medal during a period of military service other than a period of war.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS TO VETERANS WHO RECEIVED AN EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL FOR A PERIOD OF MILITARY SERVICE OTHER THAN A PERIOD OF WAR.
Section 1501(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Such term includes, in the case of any veteran, any period of active military, naval, or air service not covered by the preceding sentence for which the veteran received an expeditionary medal.'.
designated U.S. military operations, areas, and dates are as follows:
(1) Quemoy and Matsu Islands. From 23 August 1956 to 1 June 1963.
(2) Lebanon From 1 July 1958 to 1 November 1958.
(3) Taiwan Straits. From 23 August 1958 to I January 1959.
(4) Berlin. From 14 August 1961 to 1 June 1963.
(5) Cuba. From 24 October 1962 to I June 1963.
(6) Congo. From 23 to 27 November 1964.
(7) Dominican Republic. From 28 April 1965 to 21 September 1966.
(8) Korea. From 1 October 1966 to 30 June 1974.
(9) Cambodia (Evacuation of Cambodia-Operation EAGLE PULL). From 11 to 13 April 1975.
(10) Vietnam (Evacuation of Vietnam-Operation FREQUENT WIND). From 29 to 30 April 1975.
(11) Mayaguez Operation. 15 May 1975.
(12) Grenada Operation URGENT FURY. From 23 October 1983 to 21 November 1983. The qualifying criteria for non-unit direct support personnel in Grenada is 6 consecutive days or 12 nonconsecutive days.
(13) Libya-Operation ELDORADO CANYON. From 12 April 1986 to 17 April 1986.
(14) Persian Gulf Operation EARNEST WILL. From 24 July 1987, the date of the Bridgeton incident, to 1 August 1990. The area of operations is the area from 20 degrees north latitude northward to 30 degrees, 30 minutes, north latitude and from 46 degrees, 36 minutes, east longitude eastward to 63 degrees east longitude. These geographical limits include the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Gulf of Oman and most of Saudi Arabia.
(15) Panama-Operation JUST CAUSE. From 20 December 1989 to 31 January 1990.
d. Designated U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations: Congo. From 14 July 1960 to 1 September 1962.
e. Designated U.S. operations of assistance for a friendly foreign nation are as follows:
(1) Laos. From 19 April 1961 to 7 October 1962.
(2) Vietnam. From 1 July 1958 to 3 July 1965.
(3) Cambodia From 29 March 1973 to 15 August 1973.
(4) Thailand (only those in direct support of Cambodia operations). From 29 March 1973 to 15 August 1973.
(5) Lebanon. From 1 June 1983 to I December 1987.
This section sets forth the beginning and ending dates of each war period beginning with the Indian wars. Note that the term "period of war" in reference to pension entitlement under 38 U.S.C. 1521, 1541 and 1542 means all of the war periods listed in this section except the Indian wars and the Spanish-American War. See §3.3(a)(3) and (b)(4)(i).
(a) Indian wars. January 1, 1817, through December 31, 1898, inclusive. Service must have been rendered with the United States military forces against Indian tribes or nations.
(b) Spanish-American War. April 21, 1898, through July 4, 1902, inclusive. If the veteran served with the United States military forces engaged in hostilities in the Moro Province, the ending date is July 15, 1903. The Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion are included.
(c) World War I. April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918, inclusive. If the veteran served with the United States military forces in Russia, the ending date is April 1, 1920. Service after November 11, 1918 and before July 2, 1921 is considered World War I service if the veteran served in the active military, naval, or air service after April 5, 1917 and before November 12, 1918.
(d) World War II. December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947, is considered World War II service.
(e) Korean conflict. June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955, inclusive.
(f) Vietnam era. The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other cases. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(29))
(g) Future dates. The period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the Congress and ending on a date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of the Congress. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101)
(h) Mexican border period. May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, in the case of a veteran who during such period served in Mexico, on the borders thereof, or in the waters adjacent thereto. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(30))
(i) Persian Gulf War. August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101(33))
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Sean P. Eagan
ACWV Public Affairs Director
http://cold-war-veterans-blog.blogspot.com
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