VAC wait times

[Fishbone Jones]

I have two people very close to me who are VAC employees. I will tell you what the problem is, and some people will be offended. Tough shit. There is a blizzard of BS applications that VAC has received because members and former members are blaming every single malady they have on the CF.  These people see their buddies getting $100k cheques, and they want in too. The problem is that every single application, total BS or not, receives the same attention, until that application dies a natural, and time consuming death. That means the legitimate applications vie with spurious ones for the attention of VAC employees.

How do you, or they, decide legitimate applications opposed to spurious ones? When does an individual decide that they've finally had enough pain, lack of mobility or other physical and mental ailments? When does one decide to submit an application? When they just have a limp or when they can no longer walk?

There are ,'supposed' experts at VAC. There are a myriad of medical professionals who need to put their comments on VAC forms. If a person feels they have a legitimate claim, why shouldn't they apply for it.

Since when did you and your two VAC buddies get trained in the cut off between a real claim and suck it up, buttercup.

Do you understand the concept of a service organization? Their job is to serve, not second guess. If they are senior enough to be making those decisions, that's what they are being paid for and they should stop with the excuses.

There is also a higher than average amount of claims because we just spent 10+ years at war. Combat has a way of providing lots of little problems that a body wouldn't normally have to withstand.

I think, people should concern themselves with their actual jobs and quit trying to slough off their inadequacies on things that are none of their concern.

Otherwise, all you've done is provide grist to the mill. You've presented a problem and failed to provide a solution. Whining, criticism, whatever you want to call it, is all it is. Useless bitching to cover inadequacies.

That's MY opinion and if you're offended, tough shit.

You should always end with something like this, if you intend to convey that feeling of no GAFF. People will read to the end. Putting it first, as your priority and as you did, tells people to quit reading passed that point because you don't respect their opinion. 

Basic Trolling 101 

 

[Rifleman62]

There is a blizzard of BS applications that VAC has received because members and former members are blaming every single malady they have on the CF.

To add to recceguy's non endorsement, if your two friends at VAC have that attitude then it confirms what many feel about VAC. Prejudging that a Vet wants something for nothing.

Possibly some at VAC are just disgruntled that a Vet is getting "free " money for starters.

 

[TCM621]

I have two people very close to me who are VAC employees. I will tell you what the problem is, and some people will be offended. Tough crap. There is a blizzard of BS applications that VAC has received because members and former members are blaming every single malady they have on the CF.  These people see their buddies getting $100k cheques, and they want in too. The problem is that every single application, total BS or not, receives the same attention, until that application dies a natural, and time consuming death. That means the legitimate applications vie with spurious ones for the attention of VAC employees.

I'm probably one of those guys your friend thinks is trying to get more eyes for nothing. Apparently, I don't have a diagnosis on file but I can't lift my shoulder past 90 degrees and it keeps me up at night because of the pain. I feel better knowing that VAC employees know a BS claim like mine when they see it.

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[Words_Twice]

Oh no, non-endorsements. Whatever that means. Boy, the whining did not take long. Do you honestly believe that every single application that VAC receives is completely devoid of any element of fraud? A disturbing percentage of applications are either outright fraud or have elements of fraud in them. 15% to 20% of insurance claims have elements of fraud. Why would the claims VAC receives be any different. I don't why some of you are so outraged at the messenger. You should be outraged about the time wasted dealing with fraud. I know I am.

 

[Teager]

Oh no, non-endorsements. Whatever that means. Boy, the whining did not take long. Do you honestly believe that every single application that VAC receives is completely devoid of any element of fraud? A disturbing percentage of applications are either outright fraud or have elements of fraud in them. 15% to 20% of insurance claims have elements of fraud. Why would the claims VAC receives be any different. I don't why some of you are so outraged at the messenger. You should be outraged about the time wasted dealing with fraud. I know I am.

I think what people are saying is the great lengths at which one must prove there injury/illness to VAC along with the Doctor reports, specialists, CF98, seeing VACs doctor the list just goes on and on. To get through all that and fool all those people would be impressive. If your going to commit fraud with a bogus claim best of luck since a ton with legitimate well documented claims have a hard enough time without having to go to the VRAB.

 

[Words_Twice]

I am at 126%, do not condescend to me. I know EXACTLY how the system works.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Post your proof or shutup. You're neither a doctor, malpractice attorney, statistician or clairvoyant. You and your friends are not adjudicators. You have an opinion based on ignorance, and perhaps some envy. Either way, you're not qualified to be judging anyone. Most of all, Veterans. Not those that the government lied to, cheated, misdiagnosed and killed. Those Veterans that may be damaged because the government used them as guinea pigs in nuclear blast trials or defoliant testing in Gagetown or Larium testing on deployed troops.

Yeah, but you and your fuckwit buddies can diagnose from an application form.

Here's a scenario. A group of Sappers are tasked with getting a bridge up. They're short time and manpower. Being Sappers, they're done and moving ahead of time. Two months later a thumperhead comes to you, cause you're the boss, and tells you he hurt his shoulder building that bridge. Didn't say anything about it because he thought it'd go away. Do you initiate a CF98? Or do you look him right in the eye and tell him to get back to work because, in your opinion, he's lying.

Promise me you'll stop your nonsence and I'll delete your embarrassing drivel.

 

[TCM621]

Oh no, non-endorsements. Whatever that means. Boy, the whining did not take long. Do you honestly believe that every single application that VAC receives is completely devoid of any element of fraud? A disturbing percentage of applications are either outright fraud or have elements of fraud in them. 15% to 20% of insurance claims have elements of fraud. Why would the claims VAC receives be any different. I don't why some of you are so outraged at the messenger. You should be outraged about the time wasted dealing with fraud. I know I am.

You're right, there are some fraudulent claims but any organization worth it's salt would factor that into the equation. I seriously doubt there is a "blizzard of BS applications" now, on a percentage basis, compared to any other times.

The biggest complaint is that VAC set a target of 80% in 16 weeks. According to the veterans ombudsman they are sitting around 50%. They have failed to meet the target they set. If they said 20 weeks and met that target most of the time, most of us would be happy. But instead they don't meet targets and then people like your friends blame it on the very people they are supposed to help. "It's all those scamming vets trying to get some extra cash, their the reason we are slow". No, the reason they are slow is because you don't have enough staff, they have a needlessly complex system and duplicate work. I don't care that my current claim is at 26 weeks as much as I care that it 10 weeks later than its supposed to be and I only got contacted with an issue long after a decision was supposed to have reached. I'm one of the lucky ones. I do that need my benefits right away. I don't have complex medical needs and I am still serving so I can get what I need at the MIR. Not everyone is as lucky as I am.

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[Words_Twice]

You have no idea what you're talking about. Period. Not going to waste my time arguing with a couple of Dickheadz whose sole source of information is this website and their own preconceived notions of what really happens at Veterans Affairs Canada.

 

[Teager]

You have no idea what you're talking about. Period. Not going to waste my time arguing with a couple of Dickheadz whose sole source of information is this website and their own preconceived notions of what really happens at Veterans Affairs Canada.

I think some here have a pretty good idea of what there talking about. You have no proof of your claims other than what two guys say. Since a lot of VAC employees never seem to have correct information including the "high up" VAC employees that told you about the lump sum calculation which was wrong. Coming on a forum and saying I know a guy or two that say majority of claims are BS is not reliable information.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I am at 126%, do not condescend to me. I know EXACTLY how the system works.

I am only at 10% and still serving...does that mean I and others who are also 'disabled by reasons of our service' are a *lower rank* and don't have our own experiences with and opinions about VAC?  I'll likely end up with other claims down the road...I spent 750hrs sitting between 4 turboprop engines last year.

I have an immediate family member who is sufficiently senior at VAC, she has never said anything to me about this blizzard of BS applications.  I will also note that a majority of VAC employees likely have not served in the military before;  are these the ones who are judging legitimate from BS applications?  WTF would they know about the conditions of service that cause physical/mental injury?

I'll agree, no doubt there are people who are trying to game the system to their advantage.  But, at the same time, the system has also turned away, or failed, vets with real injuries.  I consider the latter to be the more serious issue.

 

[Armygirl84]

I had a few claims come in within the 16 week time frame but that was back in 2015... My most recent claim was submitted in May 16, I received a letter dated 7 Feb 17 on 22 Mar 17 saying they needed a diagnosis, with this letter, in the same envelope there was a letter saying I had been denied, this one date 9 March...

I called VAC and they said it was an error... OK fair enough... but they still needed a diagnosis. Oddly enough I saw my MO on the 23rd and we found the diagnosis in CFHS from the Ortho Surg without issue.... She said she would write a concurrence letter... A GP concuring with a specialist, we both thought it was odd. 

Now no one is able to tell me where my file is at the process. Apparently once it goes to adjudication, its out of everyones hand and no one can provide a timeline. I understand they have fallen behind but it feels like they have really dropped the ball since 2015...

 

[TCM621]

I had a few claims come in within the 16 week time frame but that was back in 2015... My most recent claim was submitted in May 16, I received a letter dated 7 Feb 17 on 22 Mar 17 saying they needed a diagnosis, with this letter, in the same envelope there was a letter saying I had been denied, this one date 9 March...

I called VAC and they said it was an error... OK fair enough... but they still needed a diagnosis. Oddly enough I saw my MO on the 23rd and we found the diagnosis in CFHS from the Ortho Surg without issue.... She said she would write a concurrence letter... A GP concuring with a specialist, we both thought it was odd. 

Now no one is able to tell me where my file is at the process. Apparently once it goes to adjudication, its out of everyones hand and no one can provide a timeline. I understand they have fallen behind but it feels like they have really dropped the ball since 2015...

Funny. The same thing happened to me. I wonder if this is the new MO to buy more time. After 12 years and numerous doctor and physio visits, MIRs etc. I still had prove I had an injury.

 

[AirDet]

So a few months ago I started looking into this. I contacted the minister's office and my local MP. After a long talk with a staffer I was told that they receive so many complaints about VAC that it's all they can do to keep up.... that's only one department and only one district. It was also hinted that VAC has lost their GAF from a couple of years without a contract.

I find it offensive if it were true that VAC feels they are dealing with a shit storm of BS claims. Most of us hadn't applied for VAC for years because we felt "it was part of the job", etc. I applied because I'll be on expensive meds and physio for the rest of my life as a direct result of deployed operations. I'm guessing that 95% of the people who apply are in the same boat.

Words Twice: HOW DARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS JUDGE US LIKE THAT!! Obviously your friends should be replaced by some ex-service members (who have actually deployed). :threat:

 

[TCM621]

So a few months ago I started looking into this. I contacted the minister's office and my local MP. After a long talk with a staffer I was told that they receive so many complaints about VAC that it's all they can do to keep up.... that's only one department and only one district. It was also hinted that VAC has lost their GAF from a couple of years without a contract.

I find it offensive if it were true that VAC feels they are dealing with a crap storm of BS claims. Most of us hadn't applied for VAC for years because we felt "it was part of the job", etc. I applied because I'll be on expensive meds and physio for the rest of my life as a direct result of deployed operations. I'm guessing that 95% of the people who apply are in the same boat.

Words Twice: HOW DARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS JUDGE US LIKE THAT!! Obviously your friends should be replaced by some ex-service members (who have actually deployed). :threat:

Well said. The most recent I jury that I am claiming is 4 years old. I have definitely added to the case load but only because I was under the mistaken idea that I should do everything humanly possible to fix myself before I admit defeat and make a claim.

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[AirDet]

Well said. The most recent I jury that I am claiming is 4 years old. I have definitely added to the case load but only because I was under the mistaken idea that I should do everything humanly possible to fix myself before I admit defeat and make a claim.

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That's another valid reason why we don't apply right away. Personally, I got fed up with doctors telling me to apply. Then we read comments such as those above... The VAC system IS broken and to repair it would require a major overhaul. People like Words-Twice's friends obviously need to be replaced with people who actually understand what it is to be military.

 

[Rifleman62]

Minister Hehr also announced today that the Veterans Affairs Canada's Service Delivery Review, a detailed assessment of service delivery channels, is now complete. The recommendations developed will establish a new vision for an ideal service model focused on the Veteran.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/reports/sdr-delivering-service-excellence

Delivering on Service Excellence

I like the part:

At Veterans Affairs Canada we strive for service excellence based on the “One Veteran, one standard” approach, with a goal to ensure all Veterans are afforded the same positive and respectful service experience.

If you are in the P Res you have a big "RESERVE" stamped right across the front of your file in block letters. This leads me to believe, and I have experienced it, that as you were part time, prove it, prove it to VAC that it is a service related injury. One example: I had a 20 foot fall on flat on my back which required hospitalization in a then VAC hospital. A Summary Investigation clearly proved the accident. On appeal I was asked if I had ever fallen on my back before (well who hasn't in 35 years). No, always office job in civy career, but yes as a kid had fallen. Ended up with 2/5ths of 10 %.

Now have constant pain and arthritis......

 

[The Bread Guy]

Minister Hehr also announced today that the Veterans Affairs Canada's Service Delivery Review, a detailed assessment of service delivery channels, is now complete. The recommendations developed will establish a new vision for an ideal service model focused on the Veteran ...

Good catch - note the "burying the lead" in the info-machine statement ...

Canada's women and men in uniform have served our country with bravery, honour and dignity—putting their lives at risk to protect the values we cherish most. Our Veterans deserve our greatest recognition and respect for their service.

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, met with Canadian Forces Members and their families at the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) in Edmonton today to provide details on Budget 2017 initiatives to assist Canada's Veterans and their families.

Budget 2017 builds on the foundation that was established in Budget 2016 and will recognize the important role of caregivers, help more families, support mental health and provide for the education and training Veterans need to find the work they want in their post-military lives.

Budget 2017 would expand access to the Veteran Family Program across all 32 MFRCs in Canada. A pilot project previously allowed access for medically released Veterans and their families to seven MFRCs across the country, and to the telephone-based Family Information Line and the www.CAFconnection.ca website. Previously these services were only for still-serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Minister Hehr also announced today that the Veterans Affairs Canada's Service Delivery Review, a detailed assessment of service delivery channels, is now complete. The recommendations developed will establish a new vision for an ideal service model focused on the Veteran ...

 

[meni0n]

Claim coming up on 1 year now and have been stuck in 3rd step since August. Anyone know how much longer can you wait and what really can one do? I keep getting the "We're processing claims from April" for the past 3 months now...

 

[jollyjacktar]

I have been fortunate in my two previous claims with reasonably good service.  The most recent has been at step 1 for three months now.