Veterans Affairs committee  It normally takes a month or two, not too long... It always depends on the claimant and how long it takes to receive the information we need.

Veterans Affairs committee  No.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes, an appeal is possible. If the documentation submitted by the doctor is not deemed to support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome, we will need to obtain further information. So it is quite possible that a claim would be rejected on the basis of insufficient medical information.

Veterans Affairs committee  It takes—

Veterans Affairs committee  As I mentioned earlier, once we receive all the documentation, we can usually make the decision and put everything in place in a week or two.

Veterans Affairs committee  On our side—

Veterans Affairs committee  When it comes to paying out the benefits—

Veterans Affairs committee  As soon as someone is released for medical reasons, the case is accepted. That is one of the criteria for automatic eligibility for benefits.

Veterans Affairs committee  You are talking about veterans. I cannot comment on veterans' files.

Veterans Affairs committee  If the file involves the SISIP, more specifically the long-term disability program, it comes to us. We do an assessment. As soon as we have all the documents in hand, we make a decision. That decision is usually made in two weeks. That does not mean that we receive all the documents quickly.

Veterans Affairs committee  I understand very well what you are saying, Mr. Vincent. If we have all the documents in hand or if someone has already been deemed eligible for release, it is never a problem.

Veterans Affairs committee  It is the files of those suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome that pose a problem. Those claims often come three, four or five years after the release date, since the syndrome develops over a long period of time.

Veterans Affairs committee  When someone submits a claim for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he or she has always been out of the Canadian Forces for four or five years. So we must have the medical documentation. Through the Canadian Forces' medical system, we will obtain the necessary documents. And if we need additional medical information, we will often get it from Sainte-Anne Hospital.

Veterans Affairs committee  We move that quickly. Once we have the documentation, it goes quickly.

Veterans Affairs committee  No.