On two fronts, I think what you're referring to, Mr. Stoffer, is certainly the issue around eligibility for a disability award. In that context, the benefit of the doubt is in fact enshrined in the legislation. Favourable rates for these awards at the moment I believe are in the 70% range. More are certainly acknowledged than not.
In terms of advice to give to the member, it's the very same advice we give them all the time. We say that it helps a great deal if you can ensure that an injury is documented. If it's not documented, it's not the end of the story by any means. But it's a matter of simply trying to put together some evidence to show that in fact there was a service-related injury and that injury has caused a disability.
I appreciate the frustration you're referring to from some clients and members because for whatever reason that evidence may simply not be there. But the benefit of the doubt is real and applied, and there is certainly always recourse, either through departmental reviews or on to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board. That would be my advice, that it's never a situation where an individual should give up or not pursue a claim.