Mike Blais has become a stolid advocate for veterans
By Michael Blais CD
The Canadian Veterans Advocacy has matured over the past fourteen years. We have transformed from an organization which originally contested inadequate government veterans' policies through protest. Now that many of our legislative objectives were secured, CVA has become a stolid base for close to 12,000 disabled veterans, their family members and Memorial Cross recipients. Over time, we have established a solid foundation of Subject Matter Experts (SME) who have successfully assisted thousands of mentally and physically wounded veterans throughout our mandate. Through these engagements, commonalities have been identified and CVA SME Group has prepared a series of Aide de Memoires to provide information & guidance to those seeking acknowledgement in regard to their national sacrifice. Or for those within VAC’s client base, relevant information pertaining to available entitlement programs and directions on how to apply for any additional benefits which they deserve.
We will start by asking, just how do I file a disability claim with Veterans Affairs Canada? You have several options but I would suggest that you simply contact VAC by telephone, 1-866-522-2122. Inform them you wish to make a claim for [FILL IN THE BLANK] and request that they send the appropriate documentation to your home. Or you can email them through the VAC website. To VAC's credit, they provide a series of supportive links which present vital information to the applicant on how to successfully process a disability claim. The CVA Aide de Memoire presents five VAC links ranging from application forms and benefit navigators to disability tables and compensation values for illness or injury. The RCMP are provided services through their own unique link.
The process commences once you receive or download VAC’s 923e form. I would strongly encourage you to make the appropriate preparations before filling out this form. There are a total of ten pages, most of them requiring that you provide relevant information which will ultimately determine whether your claim is successful and, if so, the degree of the financial compensation which you will be granted. Failing to adequately comply with the department’s requirements will result in substantial delays in the time it takes VAC to process the claim. Read the questions carefully. Think before you respond. Be prepared. Have handy your service number, deployment(s) periods and date of service and any medical or administrative documents relating to the injury and the theatre of operations. Make an honest determination on how the injury has affected your quality of life and be inclusive of the adverse impact it has borne on your family, social, sport and personal relationships. Quality of life responses are critical if the adjudicator is to properly assess the depths of your disability. Be sure to read VAC's Quality of Life rating chapter and document when and how any commonality factors adversely affect your quality of life. When making your preparations, do so with the perspective of your worst days in mind. There is no such thing as too much information or trivialities, so be comprehensive.
Regarding medical documents, it is vital that you talk to your doctor about your injury and how it relates to your military service. Define the circumstances to them. They are civilians. Should you fail to convey to the doctor the correlation between trauma and your military service, the documentation which they will subsequently submit may not directly link the injury. Linkage is the primary objective. If necessary, resort to the Access to Information (ATI) Act to secure your military medical files.
Sign the 3rd party consent form. This will expedite the time it takes to process your claim by providing authority to the adjudicator to engage your health professional(s). Complex cases often include the services of psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and others with relevant information pertaining to your claim or involved in your subsequent treatment plan. Or supplemental benefits. Provide your banking information for direct deposit. If you prefer a cheque, be advised this will further delay payment.
How long will it take? The adjudicators are highly trained individuals, if you have applied due diligence in your preparations and complied with the department’s administration requirements, the claim should be processed in an expedient manner. Should the applicant have provided everything required and is seeking recognition for a non-complex issue such as hearing, there is a good chance that processing will conform to the department’s stated objective of 16 weeks. The more complex the condition is, the longer it is going to take. I would remind veterans who are applying for conditions related to mental trauma to be aware that Veterans Affairs will sponsor their treatment costs from the date the application is accepted by VAC and will be extended for two-years regardless of the determination of the claim.
You will be formally notified by mail when your claim has been adjudicated and, if successful, informed of the compensation percentage awarded. You have two options for the tax-free award: monthly payments or a lump sum award. Should the size of the award require you to consider financial advice, VAC will pay 500 dollars toward this service.
Not everyone will be pleased regardless of the decision. For many, the experience is bittersweet as while being successfully processed, the percentage degree of compensation was far below expectations. Should you feel that an error in Law or policy occurred, you may request a Departmental Review. Should this fail, you next option is to contact the Bureau of Pensions Advocates representative and request they appeal the case before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board. The same process is applicable should the claim have been denied.
