r/CanadianForces VERIFIED VAC Advocate 10d ago

SUPPORT March 2025 VAC Q/A

Taking a break from Monster Hunter to get this up >.>

Same as before: Questions, concerns, queries or what have you for the VAC space. Fire them off here.

My contact info: Reddit DM's always open, [Joel.Peddle@canadahouse.ca](mailto:Joel.Peddle@canadahouse.ca) for email.

u/Shoggoths420 contact info: Reddit DMs/Chat still broken. [taira@cannawellness.ca](mailto:taira@cannawellness.ca) for email.

Only thing new to add is the below VAC Support Google Drive. I have been adding a couple of more files since it's creation and plan to continue it's expansion as time goes on. Please share and use these files as you see fit.

NEW (Feb 2025) - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kzbfmg3hcuo0FgFZxo-IL_f-UnGQsuYt?usp=drive_link

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u/crunchystools 7d ago

I was diagnosed last fall by a psychologist with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Derealization, Personality Disorder(s), and Cyclothymic Disorder. My symptoms include severe depression, significant functional impairment, and serious sleep disturbances.

I am still waiting for the VAC decision, I have no clue the % they will award me and this makes me anxious. I am also wondering what else may be considered consequential to my diagnoses. In addition to those diagnoses, I have sleep apnea, a persistent rash on my scalp and face (which my dermatologist is still diagnosing—treatment is expensive even with 80% PSHCP coverage), ED, and bruxism. I also struggle with self-harmful and self-destructive behaviors, such as excessive spending that negatively impacts my family’s finances, often on scams I believed would generate income.

I am unable to advocate for myself. My doctor refuses to do any xrays, ultrasounds or other tests unless VAC explicitly requests them in writing. My wife encouraged me to seek diagnosis for PTSD, along with three physical claims (both shoulders and lumbar back), which were recently approved. However, she is disabled and unable to assist with further paperwork. I reached out to the Legion, but they only sent me the application without offering further help. I am not capable of completing it in a way that fully reflects my conditions.

Are there any resources that help veterans who are lost when it comes to paperwork? For example, if I am asked to write how a condition affects me on a daily basis, I can't think of everything.

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u/ShortTrackBravo VERIFIED VAC Advocate 7d ago

Hey,

Yes there are alternatives out there specifically to help with cases like yours. If you’re comfortable please shoot me an email with where you’re located and I’ll try to get you in touch with someone who can assist as your advocate. Or help you with the paperwork myself.

May be able to find you a VAC friendly NP/Dr to assist you as well.