Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance – Eligibility and Application Requirements

Purpose

This policy identifies the Veteran, survivor and spouse/common-law partner eligibility criteria for the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance program (referred to as ‘the Rehabilitation Program’), and the application process requirements.

Authority

The Veterans Well-being Act (VWA) and the Veterans Well-being Regulations (VWR) set out the authority, eligibility and other requirements for the Rehabilitation Program.

Policy

General

1. Making application to the Rehabilitation Program is not intended to be a difficult process. The applicant needs only to submit the minimum amount of information and documentation required to demonstrate how they meet the eligibility criteria. The decision maker will use existing and readily accessible information in order to support the application where available.
2. Eligibility decisions should be made promptly to ensure eligible participants receive needed rehabilitation services or vocational assistance in a timely manner. Decision makers must ensure to gather, review and weigh all relevant evidence to render a sound decision.
3. Establishing eligibility to the Rehabilitation Program is the first step in a process. Eligibility decisions must be rendered and recorded in respect of all health problems for which the Veterans has applied to the program. A waiver of application may be considered where appropriate.
4. For each health problem determined to be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program under Section 8 of the VWA, the associated barriers to re-establishment must be identified. These must be clearly noted and documented identifying how the health problem is preventing or limiting the veteran’s ability to perform their role(s) at home, at work or in their community. Please refer to paragraph 22 for additional requirements on barriers to re-establishment.
5. Any additional health problem(s) that arise while participating in a rehabilitation plan must be individually assessed for eligibility and decisions documented in the Veteran’s file.
6. Eligibility will provide the program participant access to comprehensive, professional assessment of the participant’s rehabilitation or vocational assistance needs to establish the extent of potential improvement (i.e., rehabilitation goal) to be addressed in a rehabilitation or vocational assistance plan. If no rehabilitation or vocational assistance needs or potential for improvement is identified in the assessment stage, then a plan will be considered completed and the participant’s eligibility will end (for more details refer to the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Plan: Assessment, Development and Implementation policy).
7. After a rehabilitation or vocational assistance plan is completed or cancelled, a participant can re-apply and may be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program provided they meet the eligibility requirements. The review period for the completed or cancelled decision must expire prior to a new eligibility decision being rendered if the application is for the same health problem and the same section of the legislation that pertained to the previous period of program eligibility.
8. Even if the eligibility criteria could be met, Subsection 16(2) of the VWA provides the discretion to refuse to provide rehabilitation or vocational assistance services, in whole or in part, if the services have already been provided to the applicant or if the refusal is reasonable in the circumstances.

Eligible Groups

9. The following applicant groups are eligible for rehabilitation services or vocational assistance services (see Annex A for eligibility prior to April 1, 2024):
   1. Veterans with a mental or physical health problem resulting primarily from service in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) that is creating a barrier to re-establishment;
   2. Spouses or common-law partners of Veterans who will not benefit from vocational rehabilitation due to a Diminished Earning Capacity (DEC) (for more detail see Diminished Earnings Capacity policy); and
   3. Survivors of members or Veterans who died on or after April 1, 2006, as a result of a service-related injury or disease, or a non-service related injury or disease that was aggravated by service. The determination of a member or Veteran’s death being attributable to service must be documented in a VAC disability benefits entitlement decision.
10. For the purposes of this policy, eligibility for Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance may be considered when a Veteran or member is engaged with or transferred to the Supplementary Reserve.

Completing Applications

11. “Application” is a process rather than the submission of a single application form. Submission of the application form is only one stage in the overall process of completing the applicant’s claim to eligibility for rehabilitation services and/or vocational assistance.
12. The process of applying for the Rehabilitation Program under Part 2 of the VWA consists of:
    1. submission of the VAC-approved rehabilitation and vocational assistance application form, or a letter with the information asked for on the application form, completed and signed by the applicant or his/her legal representative. (The application process is considered to have formally commenced when VAC receives the application form or letter); and
    2. provision of supporting documentation and information outlined in paragraph 13 of this policy.
13. Section 10 of the VWR stipulates that an application for the Rehabilitation Program shall be accompanied by the following documentation and information. The information may be provided on the application form or in other documents.
    1. For a veteran’s application:
       1. medical reports or other records that document the veteran’s physical or mental health problem
       2. any information or document that indicates the nature of the veteran’s service in the Canadian Forces, and
       3. any other information or document that indicates the circumstances of the veteran’s physical or mental health problem that the veteran considers to be relevant in support of the application;
    2. For a survivor’s application:
       1. a copy of the member’s or veteran’s death certificate, and
       2. medical reports or other records that document the member’s or veteran’s injury or disease, diagnosis and cause of death;
    3. For all applicants
       1. a declaration attesting to the truth of the information provided; and
       2. at the Minister’s request, any other information or documents that are necessary to enable the Minister to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
14. For a spouse or common-law partner’s application, information may be requested that documents the commencement of the marriage or common-law relationship.
15. An application is considered completed once the two steps in paragraph 12 have been finalized to the satisfaction of VAC.

Veteran

16. Veterans, regardless of their class of service, the component of the CAF in which they served or their category of release as defined by Article 15.01 of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Armed Forces, may be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program. Veterans are not subject to any time limits to make application after release from CAF.
17. To determine eligibility through the rehabilitation need gateway, the following three facts must be established:
    1. there is a temporary or permanent physical and/or mental health problem; and
    2. the health problem creates a barrier to re-establishment in civilian life; and
    3. the health problem results primarily from service.
18. In establishing the requirements in paragraph 17 above, any relevant evidence may be considered, including but not limited to:
    1. enrollment documents
    2. medical reports or records that document the Veteran’s physical or mental health problem;
    3. documentation that indicates the nature of the Veteran’s service in the CAF;
    4. documentation provided by the Veteran as to the circumstances of their health problem; and
    5. research that establishes the prevalence of specific health problems in the military.
19. VAC may require a person who applies for the Rehabilitation Program to undergo a medical or other examination or assessment in order to establish eligibility.

Determination of a “Physical or Mental Health Problem” 

20. There must be documented medical evidence of a health problem, that is, a health condition plus the impairment; however, a medical diagnosis is not essential. An example includes, but is not limited to, a Veteran who has a documented history of musculoskeletal back pain, but has not been diagnosed with a specific medical condition (e.g. degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, etc.).
21. Any medical documentation being submitted in support of a rehabilitation application should be current, particularly where no specific condition has been diagnosed, and should be within the scope of practice for the health professional. (e.g. a physiotherapist would not be providing evidence as to the psychological impairment of the applicant).

Determination of a “Barrier to Re-establishment in Civilian Life”

22. To determine whether a physical or mental health problem(s) creates a barrier to re-establishment, the nature of the health problem(s) must be analyzed to determine how, and to what extent, the health problem limits the Veteran’s performance of their roles in the workplace, home or community. The mere existence of a health problem is not sufficient to determine that a barrier to re-establishment exists, rather, typically, it is the limitations associated with the health problem which create the barrier. It is these limitations which must be the focus when identifying whether or not a barrier exists.
23. When the nature and degree of limitations associated with the health problem are considered in relation to a Veteran’s ability to perform their roles at home, at work and in the community, and it is determined that the Veteran is limited in the performance of these roles, then it is reasonable to conclude that a barrier to re-establishment exists.
    • For example, if the Veteran has mental health and back problems (health problems established), it is important to determine the existence and degree of any associated symptoms (e.g. anxiety, chronic pain) and how those symptoms limit the Veteran’s functioning (e.g. anxiety leads to difficulty with concentration, pain leads to difficulty with sitting and lifting). If these functional limitations prevent the Veteran from doing activities in relation to their roles at home, work and/or in the community (e.g. perform work, engage in interpersonal relationships) then it can be determined that a barrier to re-establishment exists.
24. The focus of the identification of barriers must be related to the health problem that resulted primarily from service.

Determination of “Resulting Primarily from Service”

25. A health problem is considered “resulting primarily from service” if a favourable disability benefits entitlement decision has already been made for the health problem. This includes favourable decisions when only partial entitlement has been granted, including partial entitlement for a pre-existing health problem that was aggravated by service.
26. In the absence of a favourable disability benefit entitlement decision (e.g. no application, no decision, or an unfavourable decision), the decision maker must determine whether the health problem is resulting primarily from service. In making the determination, the decision maker should weigh all current and relevant evidence and reports relating to:
    1. enrollment documents
    2. the Veteran’s statements as to how the health problem is related to his/her service;
    3. medical exam at release;
    4. references to cause of the health problem included in medical reports;
    5. nature of the Veteran’s service in the CAF;
    6. health problems that are more prevalent in military populations as outlined in paragraph 31 of this policy; and
    7. any other factors that the decision maker considers relevant to the individual application.
27. The health problem may have predisposing or other contributing factors, but if medical reports, records or other relevant documentation do not clearly identify that the health problem was exacerbated by military service, the decision maker is expected to consult the appropriate health professionals for guidance on whether the current state of the health problem was the result of, or was worsened by, CAF service.
28. If the balance of evidence suggests that the health problem was the result of, or was worsened by, the Veteran’s service, and there is no compelling evidence to the contrary, then the health problem may be considered, at least as likely as not, to be “resulting primarily from service”. Compelling evidence to the contrary may include, but is not limited to,:
    1. a record (evidence) that the injury/illness occurred pre- or post-release; or
    2. received an unfavourable Disability Benefit Decision due to no service relationship (please refer to paragraphs 33 and 34 on eligibility with an unfavourable decision); or
    3. any credible documentation which clearly establishes that the health problem did not result primarily from, or was worsened by, service in the CAF.
29. In complex cases where the decision maker needs clarification regarding the interpretation of medical reports, the decision maker is expected to consult the appropriate area for guidance.

Other Information to Consider

30. VAC has found, based on a review of research, that certain health problems are more prevalent in military populations. This information may be taken into consideration as part of all the other evidence that the decision maker reviews to determine eligibility. Refer to paragraphs 18, 26 and 31 for consideration of all evidence.
31. The health problems, referenced below, have been identified as being more prevalent among military Veterans than in non-Veterans. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, VAC may consider the following health problems to have resulted primarily from service in the CAF:
    1. Musculoskeletal health problems with associated activity limitations, restricted range of motion, strength, and/or pain. The musculoskeletal system consists of the joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck, head and back. Examples of musculoskeletal health problems include but are not limited to: back problems and arthritis;
    2. Chronic pain disorder. For VAC purposes, "chronic" means that the health problem that the pain is associated with has existed for at least 6 months and the pain persists intermittently or constantly;
    3. Mental health problems: mood disorders such as depression, mania, dysthymia or bipolar disorder; anxiety disorder such as phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder; post traumatic disorder (PTSD) or adjustment disorder;
    4. Deployment-related health effects of Gulf War Service (1990-1991) where the Veteran has one or more undiagnosed symptoms from at least two of the following categories:
       1. fatigue;
       2. mood and cognition (symptoms of feeling depressed, difficulty in remembering or concentrating, feeling moody, feeling anxious, trouble in finding words, or difficulty in sleeping);
       3. musculoskeletal (symptoms of joint pain, joint stiffness, or muscle pain) lasting for six months or more;
    5. Hearing loss and tinnitus; and
    6. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS).

Consideration of an Unfavourable Disability Benefits Entitlement Decision

32. The eligibility requirements for the Rehabilitation Program are different from those required for disability benefits entitlement, as is the evidence required to make an eligibility decision. For example, a disability benefit entitlement is payable in respect of a disability resulting from a service-related injury or disease only if the injury or disease is diagnosed and permanent.  For eligibility to the Rehabilitation Program however, a health problem must “result primarily from service” and create a “barrier to re-establishment”. The health problem may be temporary or permanent, and a diagnosis is not essential.
33. There may be situations where an application for disability benefits entitlement has been declined in respect of a health problem, but the health problem may still meet the eligibility requirements for the Rehabilitation Program. Example (but not limited to):
    • Lack of a diagnosis: If the unfavourable disability benefits entitlement decision is the result of a lack of an established diagnosis, the Veteran may be found eligible for rehabilitation services as a medical diagnosis is not essential.
    • Insufficient evidence of chronicity: If the unfavourable disability benefits entitlement decision states that there is insufficient evidence to determine a permanent health problem, the evidence may be sufficient for a favourable eligibility decision for rehabilitation services.
34. In the case of an unfavorable disability benefits entitlement decision, the evidence and rationale outlined in the decision letter should be carefully considered to determine the reasons for the unfavourable decision. If the reason(s) for the unfavorable disability benefits entitlement decision was something other than lack of a service relationship (e.g. insufficient evidence to determine a permanence of the health problem), then the decision maker should look at all the evidence (as per paragraphs 26 to 39 above) to determine if the health problem may still be considered “resulting primarily from service”.
35. Medically released Veterans with non-service related illnesses or injuries may be eligible for medical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation services through the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Long Term Disability (LTD) Income Replacement program. Participation in the CF LTD program does not exclude an eligible Veteran from participating in VAC’s Rehabilitation Program. Refer to the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Plan: Assessment, Development and Implementation policy for more information.

Re-enrollment

36. An individual must be a Veteran (not still-serving) to be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program. If a Veteran is participating in an established rehabilitation plan and re-enrolls with CAF, consideration may be given for the Veteran to continue with participation in the Rehabilitation Program. When a Veteran has engaged in full time capacity with the CAF (i.e. Regular Force, Reserve Force Class C and Reserve Force Class B greater than 180 days), it is reasonable to conclude that the Veteran would not meet the eligibility criteria of having a barrier to re-establishment in civilian life given that they are re-enrolling in a fulltime career with the CAF.
37. When a Veteran who is participating in the Rehabilitation Program re-enrolls in the Canadian Armed Forces, they may continue to be eligible for the program, taking into account the following considerations:
    • Will the Veteran be able to actively participate in the program to the extent required to achieve established rehabilitation goals? Regular Force members and Reserve Force members in Class C service are unlikely to be able to participate to the extent required.
    • Does the Veteran’s level of service in the CAF indicate that the Veteran no longer has any rehabilitation needs? The greater the level of service, the more likely the Veteran’s function has been restored, or the Veteran is employable.
38. The only health problems for which they can be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program are health problems resulting primarily from their previous periods of military service or those health problems not resulting primarily from service as determined under Section 9 of the VWA. They cannot be made eligible for any health problem(s) resulting primarily from their current period service. Should a Veteran apply for a health problem that is resulting primarily from a current period of service, the Veteran may be provided with a Rehabilitation Program eligibility decision that is effective the day after the date of release from their current service period.
39. A member serving in the Regular or Reserve Force must fully release from the the CAF to be eligible. Without a break in days between Regular and Reserve Force service, they remain a member and would not meet the eligibility criteria for the Rehabilitation Program. However, for the purposes of this policy, eligibility may be considered when a Veteran or member is engaged with or transferred to the Supplementary Reserve.

Ineligible Veterans

40. CAF Veterans whose physical or mental health problem resulted primarily from service in the CAF on or before April 1, 1947, or from service in the Korean War as defined in subsection 3(1) of the Pension Act are not eligible for rehabilitation services.
41. Pursuant to Subsection 2(5) of the VWA, a Veteran is not eligible for rehabilitation services if his or her physical or mental health problem was caused by a willful self-inflicted injury or improper conduct on the Veteran’s part, including willful disobedience of an order and vicious or criminal conduct.

Spouses and Common-law Partners

42. Spouses and common-law partners of CAF Veterans may be eligible for vocational assistance when the following conditions are met:
    1. the Veteran is approved for the Rehabilitation Program under Section 8 of the VWA; and
    2. it has been determined that the Veteran would not benefit from vocational rehabilitation as a result of having a diminished earning capacity (as defined by VAC) that is due to the physical or mental health problem resulting primarily from service in respect of which the Program was approved (refer to Diminished Earning Capacity policy).
43. On or after April 1, 2019, VAC may determine that a Veteran has a DEC due to impacts from health problems not resulting primarily from service, but is deemed eligible for rehabilitation services, when the following criteria are met:
    1. the Veteran made an application under section 9 of the VWA prior to April 1, 2019; and
    2. the Veteran is subject to an IRB transition provisions (see Income Replacement Benefit – Transition Policy).
44. This DEC determination is completed for IRB purposes only. Spouses and CLPs will not be eligible for vocational assistance or rehabilitation services based on this DEC determination.
45. A Veteran who is determined to meet the criteria for DEC may continue to benefit from vocational rehabilitation as long as the Veteran is working toward any occupational goals in a vocational rehabilitation plan. In this circumstance, the Veteran’s spouse/common-law partner cannot be eligible for the Rehabilitation Program until the Veteran’s occupational goals have been met or the Veteran ceases to participate in a vocational rehabilitation plan.
46. Where the spouse/common-law partner is determined to be eligible and is accessing vocational services under the Rehabilitation Program, the Veteran no longer has access to funding of vocational rehabilitation services (including retraining) through the Rehabilitation Program until the spouse/common-law partner has completed or ceased to participate in the program.
47. In cases where a Veteran and spouse/common-law partner are living apart, they may be deemed to be continuing to reside together if they are living apart only by reason of:
    1. injury or disease and/or one or both of them having to reside in a health care facility;
    2. circumstances of a temporary nature; or
    3. other circumstances not within the control of the Veteran, or spouse/common-law partner.
48. “Circumstances of a temporary nature” can include circumstances where the Veteran and spouse or common-law partner were separated only because of family or work-related responsibilities.
49. “Other circumstances not within the control of the Veteran, spouse, or common-law partner” may include periods of deployment.
50. There is no time limit for spouses/common-law partners of CAF Veterans to apply for the Rehabilitation Program.
51. Spouses/common-law partners determined to be eligible for vocational assistance may also be eligible for rehabilitation services, if these services are necessary for them to benefit from vocational assistance.
52. If the Veteran and the spouse/common-law partner legally separate or divorce after an eligibility decision for the spouse/common-law partner has been made, the spouse/common-law partner continues to be eligible for vocational assistance or rehabilitation services. If a former spouse/common-law partner re-applies later, no eligibility would be granted.
53. In the event that the Veteran dies after an application for vocational assistance for a spouse/common-law partner has been approved, the spouse/common-law partner continues to be eligible for vocational assistance or rehabilitation services. If the Veteran dies before the eligibility decision has been rendered, the spouse/common-law partner must re-apply and satisfy the eligibility as a survivor.

Survivors

54. A survivor is a person who, at the time of the CAF member’s or Veteran’s death, was a spouse or common-law partner and was residing with the Veteran. The term “survivor”; therefore, excludes surviving separated spouses, surviving former (divorced) spouses, and surviving former common-law partners.
55. Survivors of Members or Veterans will be eligible for vocational assistance when the member or Veteran dies on or after April 1, 2006, as a result of a service-related injury or disease, or a non-service-related injury or disease that was aggravated by service.
56. The determination of a member or Veteran’s death being attributable to service must be documented in a VAC disability benefits entitlement decision.
57. There is no time limit for survivors of members or Veterans to apply to the Rehabilitation Program.
58. Survivors determined to be eligible for vocational assistance may also be eligible for rehabilitation services, if these services are necessary for them to benefit from vocational assistance.

Waiver of Application

59. Subsection 78.1 of the VWA provides that VAC may waive the requirement for an application for the Rehabilitation Program if the decision maker believes, based on information that has been collected or obtained by VAC, that the person may be eligible for the Program, if they were to apply. For more information on waivers, please refer to the Waiver of Requirement for Application
60. Given the degree and depth of information typically required for a rehabilitation application, it is not anticipated that waivers would be appropriate for initial applications from a Veteran. Circumstances where a waiver may be appropriate may include, but are not limited to:
    1. additional health problem(s) arise while a Veteran is participating in a rehabilitation plan where the decision maker already has the information and believes the person would be eligible for the additional health problem; or
    2. where a verified spouse, common-law partner or survivor indicates they would like to participate in the Rehabilitation Program and all other requirements are already documented with VAC (eg. DEC determination)

“Effective Date” of Rehabilitation Services or Vocational Assistance

61. For Veterans, survivors, spouses and common-law partners, the “effective date”, or date from which rehabilitation services or vocational assistance services may be provided, is the date it is determined that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.  The effective date is the documented eligibility decision date.
62. A CAF member may apply for the Rehabilitation Program, and VAC may make eligibility decisions prior to release from the CAF. His or her eligibility will not be effective until the day following release.

Written Decisions

63. All eligibility decisions must be provided to the applicant in writing and must include the applicant’s rights of review.

Review of Decisions

64. An individual who is dissatisfied with any rehabilitation decision may request a review of the decision. For more information, see Review of Part 1, Part 1.1, Part 2 and Part 3.1 Decisions policy

Annex A: Transitional Provisions

Authority

Sections 162 to 170 of the Veterans Well-being Act

Eligibility prior to April 1, 2019 – Section 9 Transition

Veterans currently eligible under section 9 with a decision prior to April 1, 2019, or those applications that were protected under the transition provisions, may continue to access services until their rehabilitation plan has been completed. Refer to Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Plan: Assessments, Development and Implementation policy

Eligibility criteria prior to April 1, 2019 can be found in previous versions of the transition policy.

April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024 – Section 9 Transition

1. Pursuant to section 167 of the VWA, for Veterans who meet both of the criteria set out in a) and b), VAC will protect the medical and psychosocial rehabilitation services to which they may access in order to meet their rehabilitation needs:
   1. Veterans who made an application under section 9 of the VWA prior to April 1, 2024; and
   2. were determined to be eligible on or after April 1, 2019, for rehabilitation services under section 9 of the VWA as it existed prior to April 1, 2024.
2. The protected services include medical and psycho-social rehabilitation services that the Veteran would have been eligible to receive prior to April 1, 2024.
3. For Veterans that were determined to be eligible per Annex paragraphs 1 and 2, rehabilitation services will remain protected until the Veteran’s respective rehabilitation plan has either been completed or cancelled. Once a plan has been completed or cancelled, the Veteran’s eligibility for rehabilitation services will be based on a new application and subject to the legislation and polices in place at the time of application.
4. Veterans with an active rehabilitation plan will submit a new application for any health problem(s) arising after April 1, 2019. All applications for health problems arising after April 1, 2019, will be subject to the legislation and policy in place on and after this date.

Spouse/common-law partner eligibility

5. Pursuant to section 165 of the VWA, if a Veteran has a DEC determination on or after April 1, 2019, section 11 of VWA is not applicable for spouse/common-law partner eligibility.

Spouse/common-law partner eligibility

6. Pursuant to section 168 of the VWA, for Veterans who meet both of the criteria set out in a) and b), VAC will protect the medical and psycho social rehabilitation services to which they may access in order to meet their rehabilitation needs:
   1. Veterans who made an application under section 9 of the VWA prior to April 1, 2024; and
   2. were determined to be eligible for medical and psychosocial rehabilitation services under section 9 of the VWA prior to April 1, 2024
7. The protected services include medical and psychosocial rehabilitation services that the Veteran would have been eligible to receive prior to April 1, 2024.
8. For Veterans that were determined to be eligible per paragraph 6, rehabilitation services will remain protected until the Veteran’s respective rehabilitation plan has either been completed or cancelled. Once a plan has been completed or cancelled, the Veteran’s eligibility for rehabilitation services will be based on a new application and subject to the legislation and polices in place at the time of application.
9. Veterans with an active rehabilitation plan will submit a new application for any health problem(s) arising after April 1, 2024. All applications for health problems arising after April 1, 2024, will be subject to the legislation and policy in place on and after this date.
10. CAF members, who release from service on or after March 31, 2024, meet the definition of a Veteran on or after April 1, 2024. Therefore, their applications rehabilitation services and vocational assistance will be subject to the provisions under the VWA effective April 1, 2024.
11. In order to be considered for eligibility as a Veteran prior to April 1, 2024, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member’s release would be no later than March 30, 2024; and they have not re-enrolled at the time of application adjudication. Please refer to paragraphs 36-39 of the main policy for more information on transfers and re-enrollment.
12. If prior to April 1, 2024, VAC determined under section 9 of the VWA that a CAF member who:
    1. made an application; and
    2. was released on or after March 31, 2024,

    was eligible for medical and psychosocial services, then the eligibility determination is deemed not to have been made. As the decision under Section 8 should already have been rendered at the time of the Section 9 decision, the eligibility determination under Section 8 remains valid.

13. After April 1, 2024, VAC will no longer have authority to provide medical and psychosocial rehabilitation services for Veterans whose health problems not resulting primarily from service led to medical release; and who:
    1. applied for VAC rehabilitation services on or after April 1, 2024; or
    2. were released from the CAF after March 30, 2024.

References

Pension Act

Veterans Well-being Act

Veterans Well-being Regulations

Queen’s Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces

Establishment of a Common-Law Partnership

Diminished Earning Capacity

Rehabilitation and Vocational Assistance Services – General