Chapter 01 - Introduction and Definitions

1.01 - Authority

This publication is issued under the authority of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada in compliance with subsection 35(2) of the Pension Act which reads as follows:

"The assessment of the extent of a disability shall be based on the instructions and a table of disabilities to be made by the Minister for the guidance of persons making those assessments."

1.02 - Title and Short Title

1. The full title of this publication is "Instructions and Table of Disabilities for the Guidance of Pension Medical Examiners and Medical Advisers."
2. For ease of reference this publication may be referred to by the short title of "Table of Disabilities".

1.03 - 1995 Edition of Table of Disabilities

1. In compiling this 1995 edition, some obsolete items have been removed from the former edition.

1.04 - Definition of Disability

1. "Disability" is defined in subsection 3(1) of the Pension Act as follows: "disability means the loss or lessening of the power to will and to do any normal mental or physical act;"
2. Disability in the labour market, however this may be described, is only one consideration, for there may be appreciable, even severe loss of some functions without corresponding limitation in the labour market.
3. Disability may be the actual inability (loss of function) of an organ or member, such as partial or total loss of ability to see hear, walk, etc…
4. Disability may also be imposed by medical advice or other restrictions which prohibit the full use of whatever function remains in an organ or member, in the interests of preserving the remaining function, or for the protection of the disabled person or those with whom he comes in contact.
5. The assessment may vary with the prognosis, whether for temporary or intermittent, permanent and non progressive, or permanent and progressive disability.
6. When the prognosis is for early improvement, as after remedial surgery, a temporary high assessment may be made for mandatory review at an early date. The pensioner must be so informed by Head Office when the assessment is approved.