• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

VAC wait times

Thanks for the info,

Got my decision letter on Monday the 28th, I ask for the form the same day.

So far, I have good experience with VAC. Nothing bad to say at this moment.

It took 4 months for my hearing loss and 3 months for my ptsd, both favorable decisions.

Now, what im feeling, is that my last application for my lumbar injury (Arthrosis) will probably take more time. I submitted everything in July, the VAC form, Xray and Scan diagnostics, physiotherapist evaluation and my doctor note, and I just moved to step 2 (Today November 29th). Maybe because is more complex? Maybe because I have no report of any back injury while I was in the army? Will see.

John
Well really impressed with VAC Sent application for tinnitus on Oct 7th went online today and showed file complete no decision letter on file yet but went to benefits page and see monthly disibility.payment has increased so assuming I won
 
Well got a decision on 3 of my claims as they were really straight forward (at least i thought). The letter though is confusing as when i look at the references provided it doesn't really line up.

Assessment is 10%, under subsection 51(1) of the Veterans well being act. When I search for this i get

  • 51(1) Pain and suffering compensation begins to be payable under section 45, 47 or 48 on the later of
    • (a) the first day of the month in which the application for pain and suffering compensation is made, and
    • (b) the day that is three years before the first day of the month in which the pain and suffering compensation is granted.
So not getting the connection of how 10% was determined under the section.

This is the one for my back that the doctor determined is from my years of military service and suggested I submit the VAC claim so really interested in finding how they reached their number.

Still looking for the med impairment rating of 9 from table 17.19 in the 2006 (really?) Table of disabilities and a quality of life rating of 1.

Other 2 claims were assessed as 5%.

Have to admit considering all of these came to light during PT/FORCE testing with doctors (specialist) determining due to military service I am a bit surprised that they are so low. Kinda wonder from this and what others have posted if VAC has become big business insurance - toss a number out and wait for the redress to negotiate a settlement.
 
Well got a decision on 3 of my claims as they were really straight forward (at least i thought).

Other 2 claims were assessed as 5%.

How are these assessed?
The truth of the matter is when the government gutted the old veteran charter for the new one they moved the goalposts for injuries far to the right while also reducing the value of each claim, effectively gutting the charter twice.

Link below to the current rating system so you can self-assess:


Will cherry-pick one as an example:
Two
  • Can use limb efficiently for normal tasks but with excessive fatigue and/or pain occurring within 1hour.
Twenty-one
  • Uses limb inefficiently in all circumstances. Use of limb subject to major limitations; capable of light grip only. Multiple aids may be required for every day activities such as writing and eating.

So chronic lifetime pain that severely limits you is worth 2% or about $30 dollars a month on the low end and $250 if you have essentially lost the use of a limb!
The criteria scores for every condition in the whole document are equally ridiculous and get exponentially harder to qualify for as you move above 5%. It gets to the point 20% is almost a totally debilitating condition that under the former charter or American chart would be almost a total disability.

The one to get a higher percentage more easily is mental health as there are 3 charts they add together and add a quality of life modifier of a few %. That said physical injuries are almost to the point of farce to get above 15% if it is still attached to your body or works in any way.

Multiple injuries do add together towards a total disability cap of 100% or $1300ish a month indexed. Do remember your physical injuries can cause mental health issues. For me, my 25-30% physical rating also translated into a 40% mental health claim to bring the total to around 70%.
Once you are out you can also apply for additional pain and suffering. It has 3 indexed Levels 500/1000/1500 ish respectively but again getting anything above the first level requires almost total disability or hospitalization.

At 70% disability rating I am level 1 and I have to prove it yearly to qualify or it is taken away. I still work part-time and there are other programs so it is not all as doom and gloom as I may have made it sound but they do not make the process easy when the member is at their weakest. I am also fortunate that with 27 years in I get a 54% pension.
For a young soldier, it would be very daunting as a severe injury may not qualify for long-term disability income replacement while it does limit their career prospects all for $1000 cad a month and no ones surviving on 1K a month.

The government has sadly truly stacked the deck against its veterans where it should have just punished anyone found abusing the old system. As much as I dislike JT and the current liberals the bulk of these changes was under Harper. So every political party felt we were asking for more than they were willing to give.

TL/DR: The system is stacked against claim values even when approved, please use the above provided link for your reference.
 
The truth of the matter is when the government gutted the old veteran charter for the new one they moved the goalposts for injuries far to the right while also reducing the value of each claim, effectively gutting the charter twice.

Link below to the current rating system so you can self-assess:


Will cherry-pick one as an example:
Two
  • Can use limb efficiently for normal tasks but with excessive fatigue and/or pain occurring within 1hour.
Twenty-one
  • Uses limb inefficiently in all circumstances. Use of limb subject to major limitations; capable of light grip only. Multiple aids may be required for every day activities such as writing and eating.

So chronic lifetime pain that severely limits you is worth 2% or about $30 dollars a month on the low end and $250 if you have essentially lost the use of a limb!
The criteria scores for every condition in the whole document are equally ridiculous and get exponentially harder to qualify for as you move above 5%. It gets to the point 20% is almost a totally debilitating condition that under the former charter or American chart would be almost a total disability.

The one to get a higher percentage more easily is mental health as there are 3 charts they add together and add a quality of life modifier of a few %. That said physical injuries are almost to the point of farce to get above 15% if it is still attached to your body or works in any way.

Multiple injuries do add together towards a total disability cap of 100% or $1300ish a month indexed. Do remember your physical injuries can cause mental health issues. For me, my 25-30% physical rating also translated into a 40% mental health claim to bring the total to around 70%.
Once you are out you can also apply for additional pain and suffering. It has 3 indexed Levels 500/1000/1500 ish respectively but again getting anything above the first level requires almost total disability or hospitalization.

At 70% disability rating I am level 1 and I have to prove it yearly to qualify or it is taken away. I still work part-time and there are other programs so it is not all as doom and gloom as I may have made it sound but they do not make the process easy when the member is at their weakest. I am also fortunate that with 27 years in I get a 54% pension.
For a young soldier, it would be very daunting as a severe injury may not qualify for long-term disability income replacement while it does limit their career prospects all for $1000 cad a month and no ones surviving on 1K a month.

The government has sadly truly stacked the deck against its veterans where it should have just punished anyone found abusing the old system. As much as I dislike JT and the current liberals the bulk of these changes was under Harper. So every political party felt we were asking for more than they were willing to give.

TL/DR: The system is stacked against claim values even when approved, please use the above provided link for your reference.
Great information there.

They gave me 45% for my PTSD last month, and now Im receiving the additional pain and suffering at level 3, which is 567$ a month. If I understood correctly, they will evaluate me every year for my additional pain and suffering? If so, how they evaluate?

John
 
Great information there.

They gave me 45% for my PTSD last month, and now Im receiving the additional pain and suffering at level 3, which is 567$ a month. If I understood correctly, they will evaluate me every year for my additional pain and suffering? If so, how they evaluate?

John
I believe it is paperwork and/or a doctor's visit but hopefully, someone who has gone through the process can answer my first year as well.

I used the wrong terminology when I said level 1, I am at the lowest for APS at $567 with a 70%ish rating. From what I have been told the higher levels need a 98%+ disability rating. Again the government wants a higher number to flash in the media without saying it is nearly impossible to qualify.
 
The government has sadly truly stacked the deck against its veterans where it should have just punished anyone found abusing the old system. As much as I dislike JT and the current liberals the bulk of these changes was under Harper. So every political party felt we were asking for more than they were willing to give.

It was Liberal legislation. Election, Harper now PM. Returning from commemoration in Europe (France/Netherlands, I forgot), which Harper invited the leaders of all parties to attend, he asked the leaders about the legislation. All agreed to pass in the H of C. Indeed the Liberal Bill was passed unanimously.
 
It was Liberal legislation. Election, Harper now PM. Returning from commemoration in Europe (France/Netherlands, I forgot), which Harper invited the leaders of all parties to attend, he asked the leaders about the legislation. All agreed to pass in the H of C. Indeed the Liberal Bill was passed unanimously.

Most dont know that nuance.
 
Great information there.

They gave me 45% for my PTSD last month, and now Im receiving the additional pain and suffering at level 3, which is 567$ a month. If I understood correctly, they will evaluate me every year for my additional pain and suffering? If so, how they evaluate?

John
You can view the criteria for how they establish what grade you might qualify for here.... https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/legislation-policies/policies/document/2828

VAC will not automatically evaluate you every year once you have qualified for Grade 3. This is a life long non taxable benefit and you can ask for a reassessment if you believe you have entered into Grade 2 or 1. As you read through the criteria you can see how there would be documentation from a medical or mental health professional regarding your condition worsening.
 
You can view the criteria for how they establish what grade you might qualify for here.... https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/legislation-policies/policies/document/2828

VAC will not automatically evaluate you every year once you have qualified for Grade 3. This is a life long non taxable benefit and you can ask for a reassessment if you believe you have entered into Grade 2 or 1. As you read through the criteria you can see how there would be documentation from a medical or mental health professional regarding your condition worsening.
I read the policy prior and again now, there seems to be a lot of wording early in the document that sure makes it seem alterable. Under cancellation, it seems more cut and dry but I strongly recommend confirming all details with a VAC expert on or prior to release. Government policy being unclear or confusing is hardly shocking


A few snippets of the policy jump out to me:

The APSC ceases to be payable on the earlier of:
  1. the first day of the month after the month in which the Department determines that the Veteran is no longer eligible.

    Reassessment:
    The Department may also initiate a reassessment, without application from the Veteran.
    A reassessment may result in an increase or decrease to the Veteran’s grade level, or may result in no change.
    -require the Veteran to undergo a medical examination or assessment by a person specified by the Minister; and/or require that the Veteran provide medical reports, records or other necessary information.

  2. In cases where the Department decides to suspend the APSC, the suspension shall begin on the first day of the month. This will ensure that APSC payments are not prorated.


  3. Cancellation​

    1. There are two circumstances under which the APSC may be canceled:
      1. If the situation that gave rise to a suspension of APSC payments is not resolved within six months from the effective date of the suspension, the Department may cancel the APSC.
      2. If the Veteran’s eligibility or grade level was based on a misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact by the Veteran, the Department may cancel the APSC.
 
I read the policy prior and again now, there seems to be a lot of wording early in the document that sure makes it seem alterable. Under cancellation, it seems more cut and dry but I strongly recommend confirming all details with a VAC expert on or prior to release. Government policy being unclear or confusing is hardly shocking


A few snippets of the policy jump out to me:

The APSC ceases to be payable on the earlier of:
  1. the first day of the month after the month in which the Department determines that the Veteran is no longer eligible.

    Reassessment:
    The Department may also initiate a reassessment, without application from the Veteran.
    A reassessment may result in an increase or decrease to the Veteran’s grade level, or may result in no change.
    -require the Veteran to undergo a medical examination or assessment by a person specified by the Minister; and/or require that the Veteran provide medical reports, records or other necessary information.

  2. In cases where the Department decides to suspend the APSC, the suspension shall begin on the first day of the month. This will ensure that APSC payments are not prorated.


  3. Cancellation​

    1. There are two circumstances under which the APSC may be canceled:
      1. If the situation that gave rise to a suspension of APSC payments is not resolved within six months from the effective date of the suspension, the Department may cancel the APSC.
      2. If the Veteran’s eligibility or grade level was based on a misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact by the Veteran, the Department may cancel the APSC.
What is your point? I was providing information regarding a question about how they evaluate the levels and when. All legislation has criteria for reassessments and cancellations.
 
What is your point? I was providing information regarding a question about how they evaluate the levels and when. All legislation has criteria for reassessments and cancellations.
"If I understood correctly, they will evaluate me every year for my additional pain and suffering? If so, how they evaluate"
"VAC will not automatically evaluate you every year once you have qualified for Grade 3
Your response to the member's question seemed to indicate to me that the benefit could not be withdrawn once given. I felt I read the policy incorrectly and you could provide some peace of mind that there would not be constant rechecks of the benefit.

However, instead of that peace of mind or clarifying where I am in error on policy, you provide a combative response. We are all trying to help
 
Well I now have 3 claims approved for a grand total of $259 a month. 1 rejected which I expected and suspect another will also be rejected as the specialist I went to could only assess on current which he stated he was not able to link to military as it could be just old age even though it was first diagnosed 30+ years ago when I was still young. Unfortunately the military doctor at that time verbally informed me it was due to the military activities and footwear we were provided didn't write it down.

That is some great info from soldier and looking through I was able to see that I was assessed correctly so far from what's there. The problem is as others have indicated the requirements and payouts are ridiculous. Messed up shoulder you can barely use but you can still drive short distances? You are low on the comp scale and get a few dollars. 100kms and my shoulder is dead even without using that hand all the time (driving one handed). The criteria does not take distance into account or that you are restricted to using the other hand, only if you can still drive.
 
I made a claim 22 weeks ago and it still says step 1. From what I understand, the 7 week time indicated on the VAC wait time site only starts when they consider the request complete at step 2 and + . I called them and they told me they had all the required information. I believe they wait before saying that my request is complete and starting the time indicated on the wait time site due to backlog. Is it just me who thinks that this way they can say that they meet their deadlines but in reality they decide to consider the request complete and start to count weeks when they want in order to statistically look good?
 
I made a claim 22 weeks ago and it still says step 1. From what I understand, the 7 week time indicated on the VAC wait time site only starts when they consider the request complete at step 2 and + . I called them and they told me they had all the required information. I believe they wait before saying that my request is complete and starting the time indicated on the wait time site due to backlog. Is it just me who thinks that this way they can say that they meet their deadlines but in reality they decide to consider the request complete and start to count weeks when they want in order to statistically look good?
I would say they manipulate their statistics in general for the best media spin.
 
Question re: reassessment for a disability pension under the old charter. Inured in ‘92 on a jump, filed in Sept 2005 and received confirmation of pension for lower lumbar spine, 10%, in Oct 2005. An MRI showed degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and spinal stenosis in L4/L5, L5/S1.

Still serving, remustered from cbt arms to aircrew in 2009. After 2,500+ hours in the back of an Aurora my back is getting worse, so I requested a reassessment a few weeks ago via MyVAC account. I got a reply saying I should hear from someone in 6-8 weeks to schedule it.

That’s it. No questionnaire, request for info, change in physical symptoms etc.

Should I submit a “supporting info” document ahead of whatever the schedule? Anything?
 
Question re: reassessment for a disability pension under the old charter. Inured in ‘92 on a jump, filed in Sept 2005 and received confirmation of pension for lower lumbar spine, 10%, in Oct 2005. An MRI showed degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and spinal stenosis in L4/L5, L5/S1.

Still serving, remustered from cbt arms to aircrew in 2009. After 2,500+ hours in the back of an Aurora my back is getting worse, so I requested a reassessment a few weeks ago via MyVAC account. I got a reply saying I should hear from someone in 6-8 weeks to schedule it.

That’s it. No questionnaire, request for info, change in physical symptoms etc.

Should I submit a “supporting info” document ahead of whatever the schedule? Anything?

They will do nothing without a doctors assessment, you’ll be waiting in vain for months and then they will suddenly ‘withdraw’ your application. Forms are available on the MyVAC portal under ’Applications’ scroll down to Find a Form. Make sure your fill out the Q of Life form too. I am not sure which form in the physical reassessment form though…maybe someone here can help or call VAC and ask which form to use.
 
Ok thanks. I’ve been thinking it’s alittle odd they haven’t asked me for any amplifying information etc as to why I think my condition has worsened.

I don’t think it’s an application, as it’s all been approved under the old charter so it’s an adjustment to an existing pension amount basically.

Thanks! I think I’ll call them. Waiting blindly isn’t something I do well.
 
Ok thanks. I’ve been thinking it’s alittle odd they haven’t asked me for any amplifying information etc as to why I think my condition has worsened.

I don’t think it’s an application, as it’s all been approved under the old charter so it’s an adjustment to an existing pension amount basically.

Thanks! I think I’ll call them. Waiting blindly isn’t something I do well.

NP….hope it helps…don’t blow off the QoL either. My lower back went from 34% to 40% just due to a QoL going from 1 to 2. It could mean 10’s of thousands tax free just for filing out a couple of forms. If you don’t know how ask your clinician or the Legion and fill it out thoroughly.
 
I’ve done the QOL before for my initial claim in 2005, that’s why I’m wondering why they didn’t ask for an updated one. Injury was +30 years ago, and is degenerative so I can’t imagine it’s maintained status quo. Getting out of bed is challenging some days now. Tks again!
 
Back
Top