Minister must review veterans files in light of Dornan decision
OTTAWA- The Veterans Affairs Minister must move quickly to review the files of many veterans who have been turned down for disability benefits by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) says New Democrat Veterans Affairs Critic Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore).“I am pleased that the Minister and his Department has finally granted Steve Dornan of Nova Scotia a disability pension by overturning multiple denials by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board,” said Stoffer. “What this shows is that the Minister himself does not have confidence in VRAB’s decisions. It also means that the Department should undertake a review of all veterans’ files who have been repeatedly denied disability benefits by VRAB.”
Stoffer also noted that the Conservatives have taken no action on reforming the Veterans Review and Appeal Board as they promised to do prior to the 2006 federal election. “I would like to see VRAB eliminated. So many veterans that I speak to have no confidence in the decisions that this quasi-judicial board makes. It angers them to know that the members of VRAB are often appointed because of their political connections and have little military or medical experience.”
“If the federal government refuses to eliminate VRAB, they should reform it completely by appointing members to the board who have experience in the Canadian Forces and RCMP or have medical qualifications.”
“It has taken the Dornan’s eight years to succeed in this fight and I know so many veterans who have repeatedly been denied disability pensions that are attributable to their military service. I call on the Minister to immediately conduct a review of all veterans’ files who have been repeatedly denied disability pensions by VRAB.”
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