VAC Commentaries from Our Members Continue
RCMP Veterans’ Association
Members Helping Members
This information is being provided to all Association Members
VAC Commentaries Continue
Dear Association Members,
We continue to receive and are grateful for the information that is being shared by our members and other retired members regarding their interactions with VAC.
Herein are some more commentaries that you may find helpful.
James Forrest
Director of Communications
RCMP Veterans Association
RE: Observation regarding VAC
Let’s not forget that Civilian Members are also eligible for VAC benefits. After 35 years with the RCMP, first as a Telcomns Operator and then Intercept Monitor, my career left me with quite a few “non visible” injuries. In the 1980s/1990s, TO and IM traumas tended to be ignored by management and one was left to manage them on their own. Why not avoid the issues rather than address them? That’s how most of us from that generation of CMs dealt with these most difficult issues, and some present CMs still do.
Since retiring, I have had tremendous service from VAC as well as the rather large financial burden of paying for all the required medical services was lifted off my shoulders. Just that had a major positive impact on my on-going recovery from a severe PTSD diagnosis.
A few facts that CMs should consider:
1) VAC is accessible while still employed and;
2) Your “past” service as a CM is eligible even after your conversion to PSE.
Wishing more CMs knew about this.
I have been with VAC for many years and I have the highest praise for their service. I suffered spinal neck injuries, what with three rear end mv accidents plus a sports injury whilst refereeing a hockey game, add to that hearing loss from shooting, from a rifle discharging inside a police car, from close calls on the outdoor pistol ranges.
I am in receipt of some compensation from VAC for all of that. I am currently suffering from TINNITUS and that goes with all that noise in ones head/ears.
I can not recommend strongly enough to each and every serving member; YOU are in charge your health; BE CERTAIN that every injury is recorded on your med file. Do not wait for anyone to tell you about it. You are the person who was injured; hopefully you reported the incident and the report made it to your med file. My one serious incident did not get that far. I claimed and of course was promptly informed “no record” nor no doctors report nor record of payment to doctor. I had to track down my treatment doctor from Ontario to find him long retired living in BC
Fortunately he remembered me and my problem.
He was able to provide me with support for my claim. Bottom line:
do not accept everything you are told about your med file: Look at it, read it and know all the details and most important tell someone if pieces are missing.
A second suggestion is keep some notes on your incidents.
Right now (past 4 mths) I have been logging my Tinnitus issues in order to support a further claim for this “duty related injury”. Again, you are in charge of your health and you have to do your part to support your claims.
I rely on the VAC advocate service in London ON to act for me. To date the service has very helpful and of course satisfactory.
Remember look after yourself first!!!!
Sandy MacGibbon retired 1990
Georgian Bay Division
Mon, Jan 27, 3:58 PM
I have to agree with what is being said below. But I was told to make sure that you document all of your injuries before you walk out the door. I retired in October 1983. Things have changed a lot since then as I read about what has been happening. I have claimed with VAC about my hearing, back, right shoulder and right knee.
In regards to my back, the RCMP had no record of my back being injured and A44s where submitted in those days. I again saw a Dr. about four months later in Whitehorse where I drafted a letter to the Dr. as to how I injured my back attached to my A-44.
I kept copies of all of these A-44s and my report to the Dr. in Whitehorse and the Dr. in Norman Wells, NWT.
When I went to VAC about these injuries, of course, they went to the RCMP for comments. The RCMP replied that they had no records of my back injuries or my right shoulder to VAC. VAC declined both requests. I replied, the RCMP may not have any records on my shoulder and back injuries, but I do, and submitted them to VAC with a copy to the RCMP.
I received coverage for my hearing, back and right knee, but my right shoulder was declined. I appealed their decision and obtained a Lawyer in Winnipeg from the Bureau of Pensioners Advocate who did a great job appealing my case. We won our case. Of interest, every approved case – my hearing, back, right knee and now my right shoulder, the assessment all date back to the date when I lodged my complaint for assistant. I have not been approved at 100% disabled of which my wife gets a percentage should I pass on before she does.
Just because you get turned down, if you think that you have a good case, contact a lawyer with the Bureau of Pensioners Advocate for his advice, as they did a good job fight for me.
Bart C Hawkins
“D” Division
I have dealt extensively with Sleep Apnea and a number of Ailments! #1 RECOMMENDATION
Establish contact with a Case Worker and ONLY deal with this one person. Very successful. Keep this person,by phone, up to date with everything!
PG (Pete) Netherway Insp Ret’d
Kamloops B C
This email came through this morning and I feel a need to comment.
I left the Force in February 2001 on a medical discharge for “Chronic Major Depression” and “PTSD” for which were duty related and for which I receive benefits from VAC. I also receive benefits for earing loss and stress fractures to my right foot.
By this you can see that I have been dealing with VAC for a number of years. I have had “many” dealings with them and I have a “heap” of documentation to prove it. By this, my dealings with VAC are best described as “strained.”
Whenever I would seek services for my “pensionable conditions” I would hit the wall with VAC, denying, denying and denying. I’ve had a appeal so many of their decisions, which were all reversed on appeal.
From all my experiences with VAC my greatest complaint is that they “never” offer any help. I really mean the “never” part. They have a set of procedures for every situation which they keep secret and will never offer to help. It’s up to the client to figure out their procedures and rules. I have talked with numerous VAC staff about this and asked, nicely by the way, and each time I’ve been met with indifference.
I haven’t written this in order to just vent at VAC but with the hope that my experience with VAC can be passed on to someone who can use it to affect changres with VAC in the way they deal with their clients.
Thank You for the opportunity to pass this information on.
Jacques Drisdelle
Reg # 29560
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