VAC wait times

[BeyondTheNow]

For my 18SEP19 Disability Benefits app, I received word via MyVAC on 22MAY20 that my status had changed, looked and it said “complete.” I called my Legion Rep for further info, and she confirmed that the app was completed and the decision was favourable, but that I needed to get more info and a letter should be coming.

Having not received a letter yet, I called VAC today for more info. Yes, they ruled 5/5, but can’t indicate a percentage until they get more medical info. So waiting to find out exactly what I still need to do...a bit confused how they render a favourable decision, but still require more from my end.

My PSC app dated 14NOV19 is still at step 1.

 

[TCM621]

For my 18SEP19 Disability Benefits app, I received word via MyVAC on 22MAY20 that my status had changed, looked and it said “complete.” I called my Legion Rep for further info, and she confirmed that the app was completed and the decision was favourable, but that I needed to get more info and a letter should be coming.

Having not received a letter yet, I called VAC today for more info. Yes, they ruled 5/5, but can’t indicate a percentage until they get more medical info. So waiting to find out exactly what I still need to do...a bit confused how they render a favourable decision, but still require more from my end.

My PSC app dated 14NOV19 is still at step 1.

That happened with one of mine. I needed a form filled out with my range of motion to figure out where on the table of disability I was. I think that once it's approved you can start getting medical benefits but you could wait for your payout.

 

[meni0n]

For my 18SEP19 Disability Benefits app, I received word via MyVAC on 22MAY20 that my status had changed, looked and it said “complete.” I called my Legion Rep for further info, and she confirmed that the app was completed and the decision was favourable, but that I needed to get more info and a letter should be coming.

Having not received a letter yet, I called VAC today for more info. Yes, they ruled 5/5, but can’t indicate a percentage until they get more medical info. So waiting to find out exactly what I still need to do...a bit confused how they render a favourable decision, but still require more from my end.

My PSC app dated 14NOV19 is still at step 1.

Just look in your current benefits and payment history tab. You should see the monthly amount there and can deduce what % you got from that

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[BeyondTheNow]

Just look in your current benefits and payment history tab. You should see the monthly amount there and can deduce what % you got from that

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It’s blank (well, indicating “ There are no current benefits or payment history to display.“) as they haven’t decided on a percentage yet until more info gathered, and I haven’t received any benefits prior...I’m assuming that’s why anyway. It’s “completed”, but not. :dunno:

 

[meni0n]

It’s blank (well, indicating “ There are no current benefits or payment history to display.“) as they haven’t decided on a percentage yet until more info gathered, and I haven’t received any benefits prior...I’m assuming that’s why anyway. It’s “completed”, but not. :dunno:

Weird.  Thought the whole point of adjudication is to determine if injury is related to service and then to determine the award amount based off the table of disabilities. After everything is determined only then the claim would go to stage 4. At least that's how it should work.

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[BeyondTheNow]

Weird.  Thought the whole point of adjudication is to determine if injury is related to service and then to determine the award amount based off the table of disabilities. After everything is determined only then the claim would go to stage 4. At least that's how it should work.

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As I understand it, the injury being fully attributed to military service isn’t the issue, so 5/5. But their decision on the percentage I’m entitled to is based on how much they feel I’ve been/will be impacted by it, and they’re unclear for some reason?—So want another statement from my MO, or who they need me to see.

I’m still serving and lead a relatively active lifestyle, can perform regular day-to-day functions, etc. (Took a while to get here though). But I’m regularly requiring basic pain management, lost range of motion and flexibility, etc. I’m guessing they feel that portion isn’t as cut and dry. But if that’s the case, why essentially release only 1/2 of a decision? It’s weird to me too. Oh well. At least I know there’s movement.

 

[TCM621]

As I understand it, the injury being fully attributed to military service isn’t the issue, so 5/5. But their decision on the percentage I’m entitled to is based on how much they feel I’ve been/will be impacted by it, and they’re unclear for some reason?—So want another statement from my MO, or who they need me to see.

I’m still serving and lead a relatively active lifestyle, can perform regular day-to-day functions, etc. (Took a while to get here though). But I’m regularly requiring basic pain management, lost range of motion and flexibility, etc. I’m guessing they feel that portion isn’t as cut and dry. But if that’s the case, why essentially release only 1/2 of a decision? It’s weird to me too. Oh well. At least I know there’s movement.

The reason, afaik, is so you can access medical benefits as soon(ha) as possible. In my case, it was clear that my injury was caused by military service and I had lost RoM as a result. No one had ever recorded just how much less RoM I had. Worked out in my favour and I got 5% more than I expected.

 

[BeyondTheNow]

The reason, afaik, is so you can access medical benefits as soon(ha) as possible. In my case, it was clear that my injury was caused by military service and I had lost RoM as a result. No one had ever recorded just how much less RoM I had. Worked out in my favour and I got 5% more than I expected.

Ah ok, perfect, thanks.

Now that you mention your case, I recall being told a similar thing—that while they’re aware I was in physio for months and saw specialists and such, there doesn’t appear to be a tangible/specific value to place against what my RoM/mobility etc was prior to injury, or to what it should be, so they need a detailed assessment.

 

[stellarpanther]

For anyone who's recently received a decision from VAC, how long did it take for the letter to show up in your "My VAC account" once it showed it was complete?

 

[slayer/raptor]

For anyone who's recently received a decision from VAC, how long did it take for the letter to show up in your "My VAC account" once it showed it was complete?

Took like 5 days about. However, I think you can look in your "payments" section (or whatever its called, can't access my VAC account right now) and if you have a new payment coming up, means it was a favourable decision.

 

[AKa]

For anyone who's recently received a decision from VAC, how long did it take for the letter to show up in your "My VAC account" once it showed it was complete?

In my case, for decision #1, I think it took about a week for the letter to show up in my VAC inbox.  For #2, it's been over two months and no letter received.  They cut me a cheque on 17 Apr 20, but I haven't received any information, and can only guess which submission it addresses.  I'm not sure there's any rhyme or reason to this at all.

Cheers,

AK

 

[Jarnhamar]

VAC reps I spoke with said they're just starting to process their claims from September.

CDU told me VAC assessments and paperwork by the CDU is the lowest priority and they're just shoving everyone on a wait list.
I asked for a rough estimate of when people on the waiting list might expect a call and the women I was speaking with laughed and said  "I wouldn't even bother with an estimate".

I got a definite "VAC can Fuck off" vibe.

I'm not sure if VAC does their stuff with civilian doctors (assessments, reassessments) but it seems like it would be a quicker option.

 

[stellarpanther]

I submitted a claim last Aug and a decision was made a few weeks ago.  Paperwork to request lump sum arrived a few days later electronically on my VAC account and money arrived in my bank today.  I've had a few claims and this one was the fastest.  I guess we were all wrong in thinking it would take longer because of COVID-19.

This my second claim in past couple years.  The last one was resolved last fall but only after having it escalated because they screwed up by not reading the doctors report that was included with the original application.  Even though it was already there with the original application and it was their fault, they basically said sorry we made a mistake but we closed the file and now you need to complete a departmental review.  About a year later and after getting conflicting answers and hearing we're working on files from July 2018 for months, I pushed and stirred the pot and basically had my complaint forwarded to another section in VAC.  The manager of that section basically got it done in a few days.  they did something called "Red Zoned".  It's supposed to be for non-serving mbr's but when asked by the right people will go it for serving mbr's as well depending on their mood.  As for the date that barely moves, the way this person explained that date it's really misleading because even if they have one application waiting for whatever reason, they say we are currently working on files from that date. It also depends on the injury/illness because they now have different sections within adjudication that deal with various things and some work faster than others. I have found that the people who answer at the call center are mostly useless to deal with and are often totally wrong on the info they provide.

 

[Firebird]

I contacted VAC 7 weeks ago and they informed me that they were working on files from SEPT 2018. I contacted them again last week and the response was exactly the same word for word. I have been at Step 3 since Nov 2018. 85 weeks.

VAC reps I spoke with said they're just starting to process their claims from September.

CDU told me VAC assessments and paperwork by the CDU is the lowest priority and they're just shoving everyone on a wait list.
I asked for a rough estimate of when people on the waiting list might expect a call and the women I was speaking with laughed and said  "I wouldn't even bother with an estimate".

I got a definite "VAC can frig off" vibe.

I'm not sure if VAC does their stuff with civilian doctors (assessments, reassessments) but it seems like it would be a quicker option.

Staff edit to fix quote box

 

[TriKimVio]

For anyone looking for timeline updates:

August 10 2019: claim submitted on MyVac for tinnitus
September 25 2019: Step 3 reached
July 9 2020: Claim approved at 10%

41 weeks from step 3 to complete. When I first hit step 3 average wait time was 17 weeks. When I pressed them as to why mine was taking so long around week 35 or so, I was told it was lumped in with another claim meaning I fell under the multiple conditions wait time which was 54 weeks at the time. Surprise surprise they were just making shit up as my other claim is still outstanding. I know I’m not alone here In saying if only they would find a way to honestly keep us in the loop instead of bullshitting.

 

[upandatom]

VAC reps I spoke with said they're just starting to process their claims from September.

CDU told me VAC assessments and paperwork by the CDU is the lowest priority and they're just shoving everyone on a wait list.
I asked for a rough estimate of when people on the waiting list might expect a call and the women I was speaking with laughed and said  "I wouldn't even bother with an estimate".

I got a definite "VAC can frig off" vibe.

I'm not sure if VAC does their stuff with civilian doctors (assessments, reassessments) but it seems like it would be a quicker option.

IT is much faster, as doctors realise, VAC pays them for their time. So Instead of just having their normal paycheque via the forces, civilian doctors treat and diagnose issues much faster then Mil.

It also has alot to do with the thank you for your service mentality. Civilian doctors are great at prioritizing former military issues.

 

[TCM621]

For anyone looking for timeline updates:

August 10 2019: claim submitted on MyVac for tinnitus
September 25 2019: Step 3 reached
July 9 2020: Claim approved at 10%

41 weeks from step 3 to complete. When I first hit step 3 average wait time was 17 weeks. When I pressed them as to why mine was taking so long around week 35 or so, I was told it was lumped in with another claim meaning I fell under the multiple conditions wait time which was 54 weeks at the time. Surprise surprise they were just making crap up as my other claim is still outstanding. I know I’m not alone here In saying if only they would find a way to honestly keep us in the loop instead of bullshitting.

I'm glad it worked for you. I'm at 50 weeks already with no end in sight.

Edit: 51 weeks

 

[PuckChaser]

1 year from claim to decision, wow. Just moved into Stage 2 after waiting from February for DND to send my med records (obviously COVID panic stopped people from working so it got delayed). VAC's wait time tracker says I should expect a 66 week wait from when it hits Stage 3...

 

[kalobis]

Those wait times don't surprise me, as long as they seem to be.

My file took 8 months to go from Stage 1 to Stage 2, who knows how long until it gets to Stage 3 and then they say 38 weeks on average, but I would be shocked if it was less than a year.

 

[meni0n]

1 year from claim to decision, wow. Just moved into Stage 2 after waiting from February for DND to send my med records (obviously COVID panic stopped people from working so it got delayed). VAC's wait time tracker says I should expect a 66 week wait from when it hits Stage 3...

Good luck, I'm at 74 weeks and it doesn't seem like it will be done this year.

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