Pain and Suffering Compensation (VAC PPU 717)

Description: This bank describes information that is used in support of determining eligibility, entitlement, and assessment for Pain and Suffering Compensation, under the Veterans Well-being Act. The information is about individuals who applied for, and/or received a decision for Pain and Suffering Compensation, which recognizes the non-economic effects of service-related death or disability, including pain and suffering, functional loss and the effects of permanent impairment on the lives of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Veterans and their families.

For CAF members and Veterans, the personal information may include identifying numbers, name, contact information, language, date of birth, service information, health information, financial information, and signature. Other required personal information may include whether the applicant is a VAC employee, other information required for identity validation, and information regarding a representative.

When a surviving spouse/common-law partner and/or dependent child make an application for Pain and Suffering Compensation in respect of death, or a lifetime application, or post-humous application, they must provide the same information as stated above, about the member/Veteran, and other than service and health information, the same about themselves. In addition, they must provide a date of death for the member/Veteran, information establishing proof and/or cause of death, marital status at the time of death, schooling and/or health information of dependent children, to establish both survivor and dependent child eligibility. 

Note: Created in 2019. Information may be stored in VAC's physical and electronic systems including: Client Service Delivery Network (CSDN) and/or GCCase, which may include client initiated actions and responses made through My VAC Account, and/or VAC staff/contracted resource initiated actions and responses made through Benefits and Health Services On-line (BHSOL). Medical condition, medical code, entitlement, assessment, type of service under which the decision was rendered is stored in the Federal Health Claims Processing System (FHCPS) through a contract with Medavie Blue Cross.

Some documents received in Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) from the Department of National Defence (DND) may reference the Social Insurance Number (SIN) as DND personnel were required to use the SIN as their personal identification number between 1960 and 1990.

Class of Individuals: Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans, survivors, dependent children, and/or representatives.

Purpose: The personal information is used to administer the program, determine eligibility (entitlement and assessment), disburse funds, and provide services. Personal information is collected pursuant to Part 3, sections 45 to 56.5, and Part 4, subsections 76(1) and (2), and sections 78.1, 78.2, 79 to 81, 84, and 85 of the Veterans Well-being Act.

Consistent Uses: Information may be used and disclosed for planning, research, development, evaluation and/or reporting of programs, policies and services. The use and disclosure is limited to VAC areas that are involved in the identified program, service and policy, and may also be shared with senior management.

Personal information may be shared with other VAC programs, including programs covered by the application waiver provision under sections 80.1 of the Pension Act and/or 78.1 of the Veterans Well-being Act, for the purpose of determining eligibility for additional benefits, assessments, case management, mental health initiatives, and/or commemorative activities, where applicable. 

Name, client identifier and member/Veteran’s health information, including relevant service information of the member/Veteran and assessment details, required to determine eligibility for the orphan, may be shared with the Educational Assistance Program (VAC PPU 605).

Name, identifying numbers, service information, health information and any relevant information in support of the claim, may be shared with the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) in support of the Reviews and Appeals process (VRAB - Reviews and Appeals - VRAB PPU 080) and Pension Advocate Services (VAC PPU 365). 

Personal information may be shared with the Department of National Defence (DND) to obtain health and service records in support of program administration. Refer to DND Personal Information Banks – Dental Records (DND PPE 811), Medical Records (DND PPE 810), Psychosocial Services (DND PPE 812), Canadian Forces Casualty Database (DND PPE 817), Administrative Review Case Files (DND PPE 814), Canadian Forces Member Personal Information File (DND PPE 818), Human Resources Management Information System (HRMS) (DND PPE 805), Unit Military Personnel Bank (DND PPE 836), and Personnel Files – Training (DND PPE 842).

In accordance with an established Memorandum of Understanding, personal information obtained by VAC may be shared with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to obtain Service Records and/or Service Health Records from Library and Archives Canada (LAC).

Name, health information, and service information, may be shared with the Last Post Fund to determine eligibility for benefits under the Veterans Burial Regulations (Funeral and Burial Program - VAC PPU 260).

By Order in Council 2011-1348, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) may provide services on behalf of VAC. Personal information may be collected by Service Canada Centres, acting as a receiving agent on behalf of VAC. Refer to ESDC Personal Information Bank  - Veterans Affairs Canada Program Delivery (ESDC PPU 701).

Name, contact information, client identifier, entitlement amounts and direct deposit instructions may be shared with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for the purposes of issuing payments (refer to Receiver General Payments – PWGSC PCU 712).

Personal information may be obtained by PSPC in accordance with an established Memorandum of Agreement for the purpose of creating a digital image of the record for use by VAC (Refer to PSPC institution specific personal information bank, PWGSC PCU 709 - Document Imaging Solutions). Public Services and Procurement Canada will not use the personal information for the purposes of making administrative decisions. 

Personal information such as name, contact information, service information, health and financial information may be shared with an authorized and approved third party, in accordance with an established Service Level Agreement for the purpose of printing and mailing services. The approved third party will not use the personal information for the purposes of making administrative decisions.

Veterans Affairs Canada has contracted an authorized and approved third party, located in Canada, to provide transportation, storage, maintenance retrieval, delivery, and destruction services of VAC records, where applicable.

Retention and Disposal Standards: Regardless of the format, as part of the client record, the retention period is 7 years after the date of death of the applicant. If the date is not known, the retention period is 110 years after the date of birth provided there are no known dependents, no outstanding claims against the crown, no actions involving the estate, no indication on file of the legal status of a dependent, and no activity of any kind.