Joining while having a medical history (pwd, odsp etc)

[jake9110]

Hi,
I have a question regarding joining the CAF. I've been medicated in the past for anxiety (5+ years ago) but have been working (while on disability) while getting off medication as I have improved and don't see a proper need for it. My mental health is better than ever, and there's nothing blocking my ability to work to my full capabilities. The trigger of the anxiety at the time was a passing of a family member (10 years ago) and other family related issues, but I'm long past that phase. Does the CAF allow people who have had previous medical history like mine join? I have read things like, needing to be off medication for 6 months, 12months, but realistically, do you think I would be rejected? Currently have an application processing and it's been 2-3 months. I'm not sure if that's a normal amount of time, but was curious if I would just be flat out rejected when the medical examination comes.

Thank you

 

[Jarnhamar]

but realistically, do you think I would be rejected?

Yes. Sorry.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Hi,
I have a question regarding joining the CAF. I've been medicated in the past for anxiety (5+ years ago) but have been working (while on disability) while getting off medication as I have improved and don't see a proper need for it. My mental health is better than ever, and there's nothing blocking my ability to work to my full capabilities. The trigger of the anxiety at the time was a passing of a family member (10 years ago) and other family related issues, but I'm long past that phase. Does the CAF allow people who have had previous medical history like mine join? I have read things like, needing to be off medication for 6 months, 12months, but realistically, do you think I would be rejected? Currently have an application processing and it's been 2-3 months. I'm not sure if that's a normal amount of time, but was curious if I would just be flat out rejected when the medical examination comes.

Thank you

I will not discourage anyone from attempting to join the CAF, but I will always be realistic.

Your med history would be a "straight to Director Medical Policy" situation and would not pair up will against the current Common Entry Medical Standards. It would almost certainly be a medical ineligibility due to use of antidepressants, and would be something you would need to appeal in future once you're off antidepressants for longer than a year.

I would recommend you take the time to get well, maintain fitness, and if you're still interested a year or two from now, submit an application and hope for the best.

 

[slingknees]

I only just got MedFit for PRes, after 19 months of sending in medical documents, denial, appeal, and finally acceptance. I had depression (1 major episode) 10 years ago and was briefly on antidepressants while I did some therapy (~ 4 months). Nothing since- still was an uphill battle making a strong case for myself, so it is definitely possible but maybe still some ways off in the future, and it won't be straightforward or easy. Best of luck.

 

[jake9110]

I will not discourage anyone from attempting to join the CAF, but I will always be realistic.

Your med history would be a "straight to Director Medical Policy" situation and would not pair up will against the current Common Entry Medical Standards. It would almost certainly be a medical ineligibility due to use of antidepressants, and would be something you would need to appeal in future once you're off antidepressants for longer than a year.

I would recommend you take the time to get well, maintain fitness, and if you're still interested a year or two from now, submit an application and hope for the best.

Thanks for the reply. I've been off them for nearly a year. It was for anxiety not anti depressants, or do they treat it the same? I've never been in a hospital or ward for anything related to that, I just had anxiety where I could function normally/properly while on medication for it, but have been working and everything has been fine since 2020, and came off meds 8-9 months ago

 

[jake9110]

Yes. Sorry.

Even if I've been off medication for nearly a year? There's no need for it and I'm already working without any issues

 

[Jarnhamar]

Even if I've been off medication for nearly a year? There's no need for it and I'm already working without any issues

I don't know, that's just my opinion. I'm not in recruiting or the medical side.

Are you still on ODSP?

 

[jake9110]

I don't know, that's just my opinion. I'm not in recruiting or the medical side.

Are you still on ODSP?

Yeah, but it's renewed by the doctor every 5 years, and it's expired/not being renewed in 2025. i'm already working and off meds for nearly a year. i havent been to a psychiatrist or needed therapy of any kind since i was in my teens

 

[Jarnhamar]

Yeah, but it's renewed by the doctor every 5 years, and it's expired/not being renewed in 2025. i'm already working and off meds for nearly a year. i havent been to a psychiatrist or needed therapy of any kind since i was in my teens

I'm glad to hear you're doing better.

You're still on disability (and receiving money from it?) while applying to the military. Telling recruiters that you're feeling okay and you'll be off disability next year won't carry any weight. At the very minimum you'll need a doctor to say you're okay for military service, will they say you are? I would imagine having to go on disability for anxeity (or any issue) is indicative of a serious injury.

Either way you never know unless you try.

 

[jake9110]

I'm glad to hear you're doing better.

You're still on disability (and receiving money from it?) while applying to the military. Telling recruiters that you're feeling okay and you'll be off disability next year won't carry any weight. At the very minimum you'll need a doctor to say you're okay for military service, will they say you are? I would imagine having to go on disability for anxeity (or any issue) is indicative of a serious injury.

Either way you never know unless you try.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I'm sure I could get my doctor to write a letter/note. I've been with him since I was in my teens and we've discussed things similar in the past. I don't want to be on disability or receive money, but the way I was told it works is that I should let the qualification for it expire and not apply/reapply. That was my plan