Disability Pension and Retention

[Cbbmtt]

Good Day,

Wrecked my knee during PT - 2022. Ripped portion of quadricep, ACL, ligaments and the list goes on. Had major surgery, was paid out a lump sum payment -2023. Was put on a PCAT in January 2024. Has anyone received disability pension after they received a lump sum for pain and suffering after release?

I just received appointments for the MIR transition case nurse and to attend a scan seminar. However, I haven't received any sort of decision from Ottawa as of yet. I can do my job up in the tower full time with no problems. However, universality of service is an issue as I can not run, kneel, stand for long periods and so on. Unfortunately, my surgeon said that I most likely will have these issues for the rest of my life. Not looking for sympathy here.

I've been reading and awaiting this new CANFORGEN coming up in April next year. Looking for peoples thoughts or experiences for extensions. I knew of one Cpl who did PAR for over 3 years on a PCAT and got extended every year. However, I don't know what's going to happen with the new CANFORGEN and I'm getting nervous. I love my job, been doing it just over 10 years and I'd stay the full 25 if they kept me on. What do you think the best case scenario is? Any thoughts on timelines, since I was put on the PCAT in Jan and haven't heard back yet? Any personal experiences or thoughts are very welcome.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Were you recommended for a PCat in January by your base surgeron or was your PCat approved by DMedPol in Ottawa?

Normally when someone is approved for a PCat from Ottawa with MELs that violated UoS they should be receiving an advisory/disclosure package (message) a couple weeks later.

 

[Cbbmtt]

Were you recommended for a PCat in January by your base surgeron or was your PCat approved by DMedPol in Ottawa?

Normally when someone is approved for a PCat from Ottawa with MELs that violated UoS they should be receiving an advisory/disclosure package (message) a couple weeks later.

PCAT was the base surgeon, I haven't received anything from Ottawa as of yet.

 

[Jarnhamar]

That means you're not on a PCat yet, the BSurg is saying you should have whatever permanent restrictions placed on your file.

The time frame is speeding up but under the current timelines it's taking 18 months from the time you're recommended for a PCat until DMedPol in Ottawa makes a decision. So around July 2025. If you're placed on a PCat at that time (which isnt a guarentee) your file quickly goes over to DMCA3 and if you have MELs that violate UoS you would receive an AR/MEL advisory and disclosure package - basically an opportunity submit representations before their decision. Such as you want to remain in the forces (e.g if you completed the force test, x-rays showing you miraculously healed).

There's a chance after April 2025 the UoS will be relaxed and someone with whatever restrictions you're given could be allowed to remain in. Not being able to kneel down or stand for a long time seems like a difficult sell to me to remain in, but you never know.

I'm not sure what you mean by receiving disability pension. If you mean the pension someone recieves after being medically released from the military that had nothing to do with a VAC lump sum payment.

 

[Cbbmtt]

That means you're not on a PCat yet, the BSurg is saying you should have whatever permanent restrictions placed on your file.

The time frame is speeding up but under the current timelines it's taking 18 months from the time you're recommended for a PCat until DMedPol in Ottawa makes a decision. So around July 2025. If you're placed on a PCat at that time (which isnt a guarentee) your file quickly goes over to DMCA3 and if you have MELs that violate UoS you would receive an AR/MEL advisory and disclosure package - basically an opportunity submit representations before their decision. Such as you want to remain in the forces (e.g if you completed the force test, x-rays showing you miraculously healed).

There's a chance after April 2025 the UoS will be relaxed and someone with whatever restrictions you're given could be allowed to remain in. Not being able to kneel down or stand for a long time seems like a difficult sell to me to remain in, but you never know.

I'm not sure what you mean by receiving disability pension. If you mean the pension someone recieves after being medically released from the military that had nothing to do with a VAC lump sum payment.

Thank you for the reply. I believe there's additional pain and suffering I can apply for, but I'll have to dig deeper into the disability.

I know the education amount goes up after 12 years enlisted, I'm at 10.5 years right now. So hopefully I'm in till then. For an extension would you ask the Capt or NCO i/c for a reference for an extension request?

 

[Jarnhamar]

You're welcome.

You can have your knee injury reassessed. If the disability % goes up enough the you'll get additional compensation.

With rough napkin math and the curret timlines you could be looking at a date of release May or June 2026.

The timelines are speeding up though. DMedPol is shortening the time it takes from PCat recommendation to PCat approval. And the 6 month grace period from when DMCA3 receives your representation (assuming you didn't have any) to issuing a date of release is shortening too. Don't count on that current estimate.

What are you looking for when you say reference for extention?
Just a heads up 99% chance DMCA3 won't support a request to extend your date of release to make it to 12 years for things like schooling or a CD.

 

[Cbbmtt]

You're welcome.

You can have your knee injury reassessed. If the disability % goes up enough the you'll get additional compensation.

With rough napkin math and the curret timlines you could be looking at a date of release May or June 2026.

The timelines are speeding up though. DMedPol is shortening the time it takes from PCat recommendation to PCat approval. And the 6 month grace period from when DMCA3 receives your representation (assuming you didn't have any) to issuing a date of release is shortening too. Don't count on that current estimate.

What are you looking for when you say reference for extention?
Just a heads up 99% chance DMCA3 won't support a request to extend your date of release to make it to 12 years for things like schooling or a CD.

If my CoC states I'm invaluable to the unit, maybe that could give me a better chance at an extension?

 

[Jarnhamar]

If my CoC states I'm invaluable to the unit, maybe that could give me a better chance at an extension?

In the past members releasing medically (ie with a release date) could ask for a period of retention up to 3 years. Criteria being working 5x full days in trade, you have a specialized skill required by the CAF and the unit CO has a spot for you. We're getting told all periods of retention are ceasing April 2025.

I don't suspect DMCA 3 will give you an extention because it's important to the unit - usually it's only for significant medical reasons.

 

[Teager]

Thank you for the reply. I believe there's additional pain and suffering I can apply for, but I'll have to dig deeper into the disability.

I know the education amount goes up after 12 years enlisted, I'm at 10.5 years right now. So hopefully I'm in till then. For an extension would you ask the Capt or NCO i/c for a reference for an extension request?

If you end up with a medical release then you can apply for IRB. Both VAC and SISIP offer schooling without having to use the education and training benefit.

Just so you know you can use the education and training benefit with only 6 years of service which sits at a total of about $48k currently.

You can apply for the APSC benefit thru VAC which is the additional pain and suffering benefit which is paid monthly and tax free.

 

[Jarnhamar]

What's the APSC benefit?

 

[dapaterson]

What's the APSC benefit?

Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation

Table of Contents PurposePolicyGeneralApplication

www.veterans.gc.ca

 

[Jarnhamar]

I never heard of that, neat.

 

[Navy_Pete]

In the past members releasing medically (ie with a release date) could ask for a period of retention up to 3 years. Criteria being working 5x full days in trade, you have a specialized skill required by the CAF and the unit CO has a spot for you. We're getting told all periods of retention are ceasing April 2025.

I don't suspect DMCA 3 will give you an extention because it's important to the unit - usually it's only for significant medical reasons.

For what it's worth, going through this currently with someone and trying to get an answer on the file; we've been told that there is a review of the end of period of retention and may vary more trade by trade (with trades in the red/black maybe having more flexibility to retain people).

Which is great, because we have way more work than people and can't hire anyone, so lots of LCMM/support type jobs that are going empty otherwise could be easily be filled by someone on a PCAT or long term TCAT.

 

[Cbbmtt]

I received my PCAT and my Release papers at the same time for January of 2025. I'm in the process of a 3a, which rebutting the decision. I have submitted it with my physio and doctors notes stating that i'm still in recovery. On a side note last friday a new CANFORGEN came out stating that they would extend persons on a PCAT if the trade was short and they were able to do their job for 3 years. Good Timing I must say.

 

[Quirky]

On a side note last friday a new CANFORGEN came out stating that they would extend persons on a PCAT if the trade was short and they were able to do their job for 3 years. Good Timing I must say.

Could. Not would. It's not a guarantee.