Injured Vet pushing for overhaul on VAC

[Teager]

Another vet fighting the system.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1130917-battle-continues-for-army-veteran

 

[Szczep]

It is amazing that they  (VAC) even accepted it as 'service related'!

They have no shame to treat veterans and serving members like this.
I say: post their names, so they can be known in their communities.

Cheers.

 

[ArmyGuy99]

VAC treats us all the same way.  Like dirt.

For my last two claims.  One for a neurological disorder and one for PTSD, I got the run around.

For my Neuro one, oh I got the Service related SDA no problem.  Then they only gave me 4% for the Seizures and 1% for QOL for 5% even though their own tables put me at 18% and 2% for a total of 20%; took over a year to appeal, who just affirmed it.  I was a little busy having Seizures and being in the hospital and battling depression so we missed the next appeal window.  Stuck with it for now until my re-assessment which "should" put me up two more levels. (yeah right).  Currently in wait out.

For my PTSD.  I've been completely ignored.  No letters saying that they got my claim.  They didn't even go and pick up my med docs from the CDU.  It's been 8 weeks.  Therapy isn't cheap.  I finally called the CDU (since I used to work there) and asked WTF did they pick them up and loose them again? Oh no, they never showed up to begin with.  All of a sudden they're picking up my records and things are moving again, albeit at a snails pace I'm sure.

The NVC is a joke.  VAC is a bigger joke.  The amount of red tape and blatant discrimination that is occurring, is disgraceful and unacceptable.

For us, we are struggling financially since my release and have maybe a year.  For now Christmas for our kids is a dream.  The added stress of dealing with VAC is not helping at all.  They are causing more harm then good.  I know I'm not the only one.  But we need everyone and their families to step up and speak.

There is a class action law suit trying to get going, to force a change through the courts.  Check the following links for more info or PM me.

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/105851.0.html

http://equitassociety.ca

 

[Teager]

I hear you man. I've been delaying my release as long as possible. If you are in trouble financially send me a PM as I can try to help you out especially as you have kids and a family and I have some connections. Hopefully this lawsuit puts an end to a lot of the poor treatment that has been happening.  A lot of people like the conservative government with all the great equipment they buy for us which is good. When it comes to injured vets though they just drop the ball completely amd seem to not care at all.

 

[Sigs Pig]

Not to hijack the thread, but thought this fit in the topic.

Other than honorable

ME

 

[Teager]

Thought I'd add this link here. More news on the current testifying of families and soldiers at the House of National Defence Committee.

http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2013/06/10/ill-injured-canadian-forces-members-still-not-getting-needed-treatment-say-military/34983

 

[The Bread Guy]

A bit from Question Period last week after the testimony in question:

Ms. Annick Papillon (Québec, NDP):  Mr. Speaker, in an act of courage, Corporal Glen Kirkland testified yesterday in parliamentary committee about the post-traumatic stress he has experienced following his deployment to Afghanistan. He testified in spite of attempts to keep him quiet.  Corporal Kirkland courageously served his country, but he does not have access to the health care he needs, and now he is worried he could lose his pension.  How many veterans will have to testify in parliamentary committee before this government provides some assistance? How many? Shame on them.

Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence, CPC):  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, Corporal Kirkland gave compelling and courageous testimony yesterday, or this week, before a parliamentary committee. He is a true Canadian hero.  I have sought and received assurances from the Department of National Defence, from our military, that he will receive every and all benefits to which he is entitled.  I will go further and commit to him and his family that he will suffer no ramifications for his testimony. We need to hear from veterans like Corporal Kirkland, and as well he will not suffer any consequences from coming forward.  In addition to that, he will continue to serve as long as he decides to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville—Eastern Shore, NDP):  Mr. Speaker, the question would be, why would he? Corporal Glen Kirkland served his country in Afghanistan with great courage and great valour.    Unfortunately, he came back with severe injuries. He was denied medical aid. He was told to keep quiet about his problems. He was also offered a dishonourable discharge if he came forward.  The reality is that the Prime Minister owes Mr. Kirkland and all those other veterans out there an apology for that type of treatment.  Will the minister put in writing that Mr. Kirkland will not suffer any retribution for his testimony yesterday?

Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence, CPC):  Putting aside the usual feigned outrage from the member opposite, Mr. Speaker, this is now in Hansard so it is in writing.  I will repeat: Corporal Kirkland is a Canadian hero, is courageous for coming forward, but more important than that, he shed blood in the service of his country.  He will of course receive the proper benefits. He will of course suffer no consequences, and will continue to serve in the Canadian Forces as long as he decides.  We are incredibly grateful to him. We are incredibly grateful to all our veterans, all our serving members and their families, and this government as a consequence has increased their benefits and their protections, all of which the member voted against.

Hansard extract also attached in case link doesn't work, with Minister's statements highlighted.

 

[Teager]

Oh boy here we go again. Did the MND just say that Cpl Kirkland will not be medically released if he so chooses? If this is the case that better be the case for all other vets suffering from PTSD that want to stay in but somehow I highly doubt that.

 

[OldSolduer]

The regulations are quite clear : if you breach  U of S you may be released. We all know that.

The decision to release someone medically is not taken lightly, and it involves several different directorates in NDHQ.

 

[Staff Weenie]

Well, I'm also wondering what is meant by the MND's statement that Cpl Kirkland "will continue to serve in the Canadian Forces as long as he decides."

Does this mean that Cpl Kirkland is exempt from Universality of Service, or perhaps UoS just got tossed, or perhaps the MND didn't mean it like that....

Jim - I've seen this played out a number of times now, and it seems that there really isn't a clear answer any more. I'm aware of a number of folks who don't meet UoS, can never again meet it, and yet they've stayed in for years (some for a decade).  Others get tossed by the system as fast as possible.

Whatever the intent was, it may open a can of worms for other folks (perhaps myself included) who want to continue to serve.

 

[OldSolduer]

Can of worms is correct.

As much as I liked a former GOFO, he made promises to the wounded that were incorrect from the get go.

 

[Teager]

I'm seeing a bit of a pattern here with the government. Seems that any soldier including myself who has testified or spoken out about treatment/benefits to the media is not released at least not right away. IMO this could be a tactic to keep those that are speaking out happy and those that don't are released quicker.

Jim to show you the issues I was injured in 2006. I'm still in and serving and even have learned a new trade but do not meet UoS. I should have been medically released at least 3 to 4 years ago. I've seen guys injured 2 years after me released immediatly even though they wanted to stay in. This is a clear sign that the government is not being fair in the system.

 

[DAA]

Jim to show you the issues I was injured in 2006. I'm still in and serving and even have learned a new trade but do not meet UoS. I should have been medically released at least 3 to 4 years ago. I've seen guys injured 2 years after me released immediatly even though they wanted to stay in. This is a clear sign that the government is not being fair in the system.

As much as I hate to think it, but you may have been injured at a n opportune time when "retention" was the buzz thing of the day but the flair is now starting to wear off.  Nevertheless, now we see ourselves in a position of having those who have been afforded "retention" and are still serving and those who are not being given the same consideration and being released.  The lines have become so muddied that it has now become relatively impossible for anyone to make a decision regarding someone's career that won't be called into question.

 

[MikeL]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/injured-soldier-who-testified-about-struggles-given-discharge-notice-1.1319952

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Monday, June 10, 2013 6:31PM EDT
Last Updated Monday, June 10, 2013 9:59PM EDT

An injured Canadian soldier who testified about his struggle for health benefits has been notified that he will be discharged in six months, despite assurances from Defence Minister Peter MacKay that he would suffer “no ramifications” for speaking out.
Vancouver-native Cpl. Glen Kirkland, who nearly died in Afghanistan five years ago when he was ambushed by the Taliban, said mere days after appearing before a parliamentary committee he received a notice in the mail of his impending discharge.
“I was absolutely taken aback,” Kirkland told CTV News. “I was pretty much speechless and pretty devastated.”

According to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, if a CF member is released from duty because of a disability, they are entitled to an unreduced pension if they have accumulated 10 year of pensionable service.
“I never asked to be discharged,” the 29-year-old said. “My intention was to get a 10-year indexed pension. Not just for myself, but for other soldiers, so they can have that consistent income.”
Kirkland said he signed back the discharge notice indicating that he did not agree with the Canadian Force’s decision.
Earlier, Kirkland had said he was ordered not to testify about his concerns or he’ll have no pension when he’s discharged, or be given adequate assistance for covering his medical bills for a long list of injuries.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Monday that Kirkland had not yet been released from the military, but appeared to acknowledge the six-month discharge notice.
“There were papers signed and explained to him that they were to do with his future career,” said MacKay. “He willfully signed those papers. But I can confirm he has not been released from the Canadian Armed Forces.”
Senior staff of the defence minister met with top military officials Monday to discuss the issue.
Kirkland, a fourth-generation soldier, suffered a rocket attack in Afghanistan that killed three of the five people travelling in his vehicle in the Zhari district of Afghanistan.
“I had to pull myself while on fire, and through gunfire, to try to extract my dead and dying brothers-in-arms,” he testified last week.
He suffered serious injuries, including the loss of 75 per cent of his hearing, the loss of some sight and a brain injury that left him forever dependant on insulin.
“I suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) so badly that I haven’t been able to visit my home in Vancouver for years,” he testified. “I can’t handle the anxiety of being around crowds. Survivor’s guilt haunts me every day.”
Last week, MacKay said Kirkland would “receive every and all benefits to which he is entitled.”
Veteran advocate Wayne Johnston said Kirkland’s story has exposed a serious flaw in the military.
“It pains me to say this, but the message basically is, ‘You get hurt, we’re going to throw you away like someone’s tissue paper,’” Johnston, of Wounded Warriors, said.
Meanwhile, Kirkland said he’s not prepared to back down just yet.
“I still have faith and hope that the right thing is done in the long run for me and my fellow brothers in arms,” he said.

With a report from CTV’s Richard Madan

 

[The Bread Guy]

Well, I'm also wondering what is meant by the MND's statement that Cpl Kirkland "will continue to serve in the Canadian Forces as long as he decides." ....

The Minister was a bit clearer in Question Period yesterday responding to a Liberal question about about Cpl. Kirkland (also attached if link doesn't work for you) - highlights mine:

When I heard about the testimony of Corporal Kirkland, I was out of the country doing business on behalf of the Department of National Defence and the country. As a result, I sought assurances from the department that there would be no negative inference as a result of his testimony. If there has been, I certainly would like to hear about it.  If the member has further information, specific to this individual's case, I would be happy to receive it .... Any Afghan vet injured in combat will not be released as a result of those injuries.  Rather than trying to score political points on the floor of the House of Commons, everyone would be better off had the hon. member chosen to contact my office on behalf of this individual and we could work productively with him, which I am very anxious to do on behalf of Corporal Kirkland.

:worms: ?

 

[Teager]

Well this just makes things even more grey and muddier. So on one hand MND says "No Afghan vets will be released from injuries" But then we have written and current policy that says if you don't meet UoS you can be released. So which is it?

IMO written policy will override what a politician says so unless the MND has the policy re-written to what he has said I don't forsee what he says taking place.

I totally agree with Cpl Kirkland with the 10 year pension. I have heard this from other injured members and I myself am 2 years away from my 10 year mark.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Is Corporal Kirkland being released because he  testified about his struggle for health benefits  or because it's standard for someone in his position?

 

[Nemo888]

Thought I'd add this link here. More news on the current testifying of families and soldiers at the House of National Defence Committee.

http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2013/06/10/ill-injured-canadian-forces-members-still-not-getting-needed-treatment-say-military/34983

The link is subscriber only. Same article is over here as well.
http://democracyastray.blogspot.ca/2013/06/ill-injured-canadian-forces-members.html

 

[Journeyman]

Is Corporal Kirkland being released because he  testified about his struggle for health benefits  or because it's standard for someone in his position?

I would suspect that there's no link between his testimony and the release notice.  He said that he "received it in the mail," which would require NDHQ to make a decision and Canada Post to get the letter to him within a week -- an obvious impossibility in the realm of governmental bureaucratic physics.

 

[Teager]

I would suspect that there's no link between his testimony and the release notice.  He said that he "received it in the mail," which would require NDHQ to make a decision and Canada Post to get the letter to him within a week -- an obvious impossibility in the realm of governmental bureaucratic physics.

Is it normal to receive your release message through the mail? Would your CoC not be the ones informing you of the release message?