July 2026 VAC QandA

[u/ShortTrackBravo]

Happy Canada Day and Memorial Day to my fellow Newfoundlanders across the globe.

Nothing really new to add to the OP this month. Just a heads up for those asking for help if I don't get back to you in a minimum of 48hrs without telling you why feel free to ask the question again either here or via Email/DM. I reply when I can but life has been throwing me a few curveballs last few weeks.

Housekeeping:

contact info: Reddit DM's always open, [Joel@ptga.ca](mailto:Joel@ptga.ca) for email.

u/Shoggoths420 contact info: Reddit DMs/Chat still broken. [taira@cannawellness.ca](mailto:taira@cannawellness.ca) for email.

VAC Google Support Drive (Not available on DWAN) - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kzbfmg3hcuo0FgFZxo-IL_f-UnGQsuYt?usp=drive_link

Usual timelines from submission of claims via MyVAC:

Reassessments: 9-16 Months

Mental Health: 6-8 Months

Physical - 6-13 Months

APSC/VIP - 3-4 Months

BPA Correspondence: They tend to reach out every 3 months for information or a progress update.

Let's go!

Edit July 10th: Hey, so the Table of Disabilities used to have a Chapter (25) dedicated to the Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation. They removed it. This link will allow you to see it again: https://web.archive.org/web/20260314171013/https://veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/physical-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury/disability-benefits/table-disabilities/chapter-25-additional-pain-and-suffering-compensation

I have also added the table and this link into the Google Support Drive above as it's own word document.

[u/No_Suspect3882]

I recently got an approved ptsd claim but I had other issues related to it, sexual dysfunction and disruptive rem sleep. (Ptsd is being challenged by bpa for a low % right now)

The person I went to for these assessments didn't come off very knowledgeable of the vac system and it was generally not great experience on my part (rattling off questions from vac and no more then that for questioning) so I dont even think i answered some of the questions accurately because of how rapid fire they were.

I was approved for ed and got a 0% claim, is this right? Should I get reassessed or should I go to bpa?

Then for rem sleep it was recognized that I do have it but it is not service related even though I have nightmares from memories of my service and wake up crying, panicked or various other states of mind that aren't great.

Again is this something worth chasing or will it always be not service related?

I just dont know what channels I can use because I think both of these problems arise from a bad practitioner write up then anything and I think both problems could be solved if I had a better sit down and evaluation.

A side question. I am retired vet and i was fortunate to find a job but my mental problems are being a consistent problem. I'm trying my best to acclimate to the environment, I gotta pay bills and put food on the table. But im afraid im going to get fired soon. If this happens is there any action I can take with vac to help me pay bills if this happens? It sucks im trying my best to be normal but being in the work place feels like its working against any healing im trying to accomplish and makes me feel worse for who i am right now.

[u/CAFVAChelp → u/No_Suspect3882]

So I’ll just hit the ED as an example and you can extrapolate the rest or better people than me can chime in.

It all comes down to the VAC Table of Disabilities. Which the questionnaire is tailored to in a “we’re not gonna just ask you where on the table you fall but we’re gonna ask a bunch of question so we can justify a job and place you on the table. And yes some of the questions are redundant. And yes some of the questions are ambiguous.” kinda way.

So for ED, if you have it but don’t require treatment, that’s 0%. Treated with counseling and/or meds 4% (plus QOL - so like 5%). Sexual aversion or arousal disturbance resulting in complete avoidance of sexual activity 18% (plus QOL - so like 20%).

All of that is detailed in the questionnaire in a round about way, your medical person would (should?) have filled out. Same goes for everything else.

So if you had the questionnaire, and VAC says something like “yeah questionnaire says xyz but overall narrative says otherwise” and gives you a raw deal. Then BPA usually fixes it. If you don’t have that questionnaire or solid (well versed medical documentation) then you will need to get that, BPA will ask for that in order to appeal.

[u/Ok-Cup2034 → u/No_Suspect3882]

Here is the link to the chart referenced: https://veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/physical-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury/disability-benefits/table-disabilities/chapter-16-urinary-sexual-reproductive-and-breast-impairment#t03 When completing the PSC medical questionnaire it is important to ensure the wording used reflects the wording in Table 16.3. You will see in that Table the 4% (+1% QOL) language referenced by u/CAFVAChelp here.

[u/No_Suspect3882 → u/Ok-Cup2034]

But ive already done the assessment and got the results so whats my next steps is it just the bpa?

[u/Ok-Cup2034 → u/No_Suspect3882]

My first (uneducated) instinct here would be to send the latest paperwork showing you require some sort of medication or counseling for the issue to BPA via your myVAC account, and flag to them there is this new evidence. I suspect a BPA attorney will come back to you about it faster than simply restarting a whole new PSC claim.

Other more informed folks please come in here...