Veterans Affairs committee  The basic premise that we're trying to hit here is the equation. In the equation that you're proposing, the 70% is 70% of the 75%, which is actually around 52%. What we're basically asking for is what we asked for last year. Bring it up to 100%; then, when you use the 70% that you're using, that percentage goes up into the 60%-plus range, which is a little more doable for somebody....

Veterans Affairs committee  With respect to the Veterans Affairs transformation plan, the veterans under the new Veterans Charter report there are problems with the documents they receive from VAC. Confusion and anger are caused by phone calls from unknown VAC staff members rather than letters that clearly state the actions or decisions made by VAC.

Veterans Affairs committee  With respect to reduced wait times for decisions, we cannot positively make the claim that wait times have been reduced for disability benefit and rehabilitation program decisions. Veterans have reported that their claims have gone smoothly, particularly the operation code types of claims—for tinnitus, as an example.

Veterans Affairs committee  The committee heard in earlier testimony that the private sector Manulife SISIP, or service income security insurance plan, provided timely service without problems. The CAV's recommendation for Veteran Affairs Canada, to be able reduce wait times for decisions on disability benefits and rehabilitation programs, is to have a change in VAC corporate culture.

Veterans Affairs committee  With respect to complex cases requiring a case manager, we have not had any reports of changes in the way veterans with complex needs interact with their case managers. We were expecting to hear positive reports as the new VAC philosophy of care, compassion, and respect propagated through the VAC corporate culture.

Veterans Affairs committee  In our experience, education is key to a successful transition from the military mode to the civilian mode, especially for those veterans with physical or psychological injuries. VAC partnerships with companies that are entrepreneurial, in the sense that they are searching for jobs that are in demand and that people with a disability can handle, and designing courses to provide clients' training to fulfill these jobs, are ideal for veterans with a disability who need to join the labour force.

Veterans Affairs committee  The process is not simple and flexible for the average person. We consider the process unduly complicated, and help is often needed.

Veterans Affairs committee  There is very much a “no” in the satisfaction of the way VAC handles health care services for young veterans. Approval delays when doctors are submitting extension of benefit forms and then having to wait long periods for approvals to continue treatments cause a break in the veteran's treatment with dire effects in some cases.

Veterans Affairs committee  We were deeply affected by the suicide death of Corporal Leona MacEachern on Christmas Day 2013 who was treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Veterans Affairs committee  In our view, family members of veterans suffering from mental health problems should receive psychological and financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada. Each family member should have a picture ID card and a VAC account.

Veterans Affairs committee  Due to the lethality and unpredictable effect of psychiatric drugs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs for the recovery of people with prolonged mental illness, in our view, need heightened screening and DNA testing at the start to ensure clients can metabolize the potential psychiatric drugs they may be prescribed.

Veterans Affairs committee  I thought I did. I likely do in my bag. They're very—

Veterans Affairs committee  No, and that's what the problem is. I have about a dozen at home, so I can ship you a couple of them. I spent years in the infantry, 23 years in total. It's quite crass. It is one page. It says “Dear Mr. Burke” at the top. It's all form. I've even had the wrong name sent to me a couple of times.

Veterans Affairs committee  The dental one blindsided me. As I said, the cheque was already cashed, the teeth were already in my mouth. All of a sudden I go to the mailbox and there's the.... I suffer from Brown Syndrome. It sits there for three days before I can open it. But anyway.... And they don't explain it.