News Release

Baker Announces New Guidelines for PTSD

Ottawa - The Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable George Baker, announced today changes to the way disability pension entitlement decisions are made, particularly in cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), under the Pension Act. The changes are part of a modernization of the Table of Disabilities which is being undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs over the next 14 months.

"This updating of the Table of Disabilities is the first major revision since 1988," said Minister Baker. "But we can't wait for the complete revision to deal with PTSD, so I instructed my officials to move now. This is an urgent matter, especially for Canada's peacekeepers."

Minister Baker also announced the formation of a dedicated team of Pension Adjudicators, under the medical guidance of a specialist in PTSD, to specifically render entitlement and assessment decisions for PTSD and other similar conditions.

New and more comprehensive assessment criteria for PTSD are being added to the Table of Disabilities to help improve the consistency and quality of decision-making and to respond in particular to the needs of the growing number of Canadian Forces applicants who are experiencing PTSD. Effective February 17, new PTSD guidelines and supporting documentation will be available to all Veterans Affairs Canada service providers in District Offices located throughout Canada.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) will also be placing an increasing focus on quality assurance to enable PTSD clients to receive all the benefits and services that they need and to which they are entitled. In addition, the Department will be revisiting its policies and processes related to the award of health care benefits. VAC will endeavour to consider all elements that affect PTSD sufferers and to develop treatment and care plans that will assist with treating PTSD and related conditions, to ensure the health benefits provided holistically address the client's health needs.

VAC awards disability pensions under authority of the Pension Act for service-related disabilities. The pension process consists of two elements. Eligibility, also known as entitlement, is based solely on the relationship between military service and the disability. If this is favourably established, an assessment of the extent or degree of disability is based on medical evidence and awarded according to guidelines in the Table of Disabilities. The receipt of a disability pension is a gateway to comprehensive access to treatment and other health care benefits and services aimed at establishing and maintaining independent living and quality of life.

Veterans Affairs Canada has a number of initiatives underway to address the concerns and interests of Canadian Forces clients and their families.

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information@vac-acc.gc.ca