Longer wait times inevitably have significant human and financial impacts on veterans and their families.
From a human standpoint, people wait for months or even years. As we know, with the resources available now, an initial claim followed by an appeal can take two to three years. However, many veterans are grappling with physical and psychological injuries, and the delays make their health worse. All of us here know that. Waiting can intensify veterans' mental health challenges. It can also make them feel abandoned by the department. They may feel that Veterans Affairs Canada has turned their back on them, and they may lose trust in the system that is meant to support them.
The financial impacts are far-reaching. Veterans are not eligible for any benefits before their case is processed. If a veteran makes a claim because of hypoacusis, they will not be eligible for any related benefits until recognition of and compensation for the illness are available. The wait time is long. It can put veterans in vulnerable situations. They may not be able to pay their bills, and they get into debt. They struggle to provide for their families. Some of them are forced to delay medical treatment because they can't afford it, since it's not covered by Veterans Affairs Canada.
In summary—