Jarnhamar said:
Serious question though, how does our VA/benefits system compare to the civilian world?
Bird_Gunner45 said:
I have a sis terrible who is a nurse and has seen more death, despair, and injury than the bulk of the military ever will. She has PTSD as a result of some incidents.
I don't know how the Ontario WSIB - PTSD Policy compares to the VA - PTSD policy, but perhaps a comparison can be made.
In Ontario, the WSIB Policy,
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) in First Responders does not apply to nurses.
The Policy defines "first responder" as police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
This is what caught my eye,
"The first responder must have been employed as a first responder for at least one day on or after April 6, 2014."
I don't have PTSD. Even if I did, the Policy would not apply to me as I retired as a "first responder" in 2009.
Presumption
"If a first responder is diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist or psychologist,
the PTSD is presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the first responder's employment, unless the contrary is shown."
In other words, that means "cumulative mental stress". aka "burnout".
At our departmental pensioner luncheons we have been hearing ( unofficially ) that there is fear higher up in the Dept. that if an honourable path exists to escape Emergency Operations ( ie: get transferred into a "suitable" job with no loss of pay and all raises, seniority, benefits etc. ) that many will take it.
Thus causing the car count to decrease, causing response times to increase. At the same time call volume is rapidly increasing due to the growing, and ageing, population in the city.
I don't intend to argue if the Ontario WSIB - PTSD Policy is fair or unfair. I didn't write it. That's just the way it is.
Separate from WSIB, is the
Long Term Disability ( LTD ) Plan.
"The City will provide for all employees by contract with an insurer selected by the City, a Long Term Disability plan for employees and will pay one hundred percent (100%) of the cost thereof to provide a long term disability benefit of seventy-five percent (75%) of basic salary for disability claims.
The City shall provide employees who are in receipt of the long term disability plan benefit, benefit coverage under the Extended Health Care and Dental plans.
The City shall pay one hundred per cent (100%) of the premiums."
LTD has always been in our collective agreement with the City.
LTD pays 75 per cent, until age 65. That can be topped up to 100 per cent through Third Party Liability or your Sick Bank.
At age 65 you go on OMERS pension.
LTD covers illness and injury not covered by WSIB ( including stress related disability ).
So, by WSIB or LTD, PTSD has always been covered.
http://www.torontoparamedic.com/misc/TO%20Manulife/TO%20Benefit%20Book.pdf
"This Benefit Summary printed: May 28, 2013"
It's not up to date, but will give you an idea.
Employees and pensioners are covered by the City of Toronto Group Benefits program, the collective agreement with the City, and WSIB and OMERS with the Province of Ontario.
"How does our VA/benefits system compare to the civilian world?"
Hope that helps.