The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced Sunday that it will streamline procedures for the "National Veterans Disability Diagnosis Certificate," which serves as an alternative to physical examinations at veterans hospitals for determining disability ratings of persons of national merit.
Starting this year, the number of medical institutions authorized to issue the diagnosis certificates will expand more than threefold, from 49 to 140.
To support the expansion, the ministry plans to operate a "real-time hotline" between veterans affairs offices nationwide and the issuing hospitals, enabling immediate communication between applicants and office staff.
"Through improved procedures, we expect to eliminate unnecessary on-site waiting caused by errors in diagnosis certificate issuance," the ministry said.
A new "Eligibility Verification Certificate for National Veterans Disability Diagnosis" system has also been in operation since January 1. Applicants who obtain the verification certificate from a veterans affairs office in advance and submit it to a hospital can receive their diagnosis certificate without a separate eligibility check.
The verification certificate can be received by mail after the initial national merit registration notification, in person when applying for a physical examination at a veterans affairs office, or by phone. If applicants arrive at a hospital without the certificate, it can also be issued through the hotline.
The ministry also plans to compile a comprehensive list of medical specialties available for diagnosis certificate issuance at each of the 140 hospitals, strengthening guidance so that applicants can confirm in advance whether they can obtain a certificate matching their specific injury.
"We will do our best in follow-up management and institutional improvements so that this system becomes a core program that provides practical convenience to those who have devoted themselves to the nation," Minister Kwon Oh-eul said.