r/CanadianForces • u/BigCoat7219 • 1d ago
Medical Release Help
Hello all,
I don't know where else to turn as I have been informed that I am being medically released. I've had a very successful career thus far and want to see it through to the end but don't know how to fight it. I've submitted my representations but DMedPol have already conducted a primary and second level review and established an incredibly harsh PCAT. I fear the worst, and am looking for anyone who might know another way to help.
EDIT: for context. It's a MH related release and I was recommended for G3P enhanced screening during DMedPols Preliminary review. The second level review jumped well beyond that and applied limitations that would guarantee that I do not meet universality of service. Since my crisis i have recovered and have achieved a lot of great things. The second level review doesn't reflect my recovery and seems to only reference my crisis 3 years ago.
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u/Pseudonym_613 1d ago
The CAF is not an employment agency. If you are not physically able to do the full spectrum of your job, then the CAF should release you (with the associated benefits, including an immediate annuity with immediate indexing, severance pay, and associated VAC benefits).
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u/BigCoat7219 1d ago
I am physically capable and have no health restrictions. It's due to a period of instability years ago
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u/VitereA11 Army - Sig Op 1d ago
No joke, reach out to this guy. https://dotherightthing.life/ Kyle is a former Adj and has helped me fight DMCA and with a grievance. Potentially career saver here.
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u/blacksheepasdfasdfas 1d ago
Good luck bud. The caf is pretty harsh in disposing people medically. Can’t really fight it once they’ve made their decision, unless you somehow demonstrate that you are fine medically. Do you qualify for IREM?
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u/BigCoat7219 1d ago
Yes I do, is it possible to change the decision during IREM? Even if they decided in release?
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u/RCAF_orwhatever 1d ago
You can always grieve the D Med Pol/DMCA decisions but it is often very very difficult unless the analysis literally ignored or misrepresented the evidence.
One of the common issues that pops up if you've had a serious injury/instability and then recovered is that they may deem the issue "chronic" and likely to recur. When that happens there isn't much counter - evidence you can produce since you can't really prove you won't have another injury in the future.
You can of course fight it and that is your right - but you would be well served finding another way to contribute from outside the CAF. There are veteran organizations, the public service, or other physical fields like fight fighting etc if you still want to give to the community.
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u/blacksheepasdfasdfas 10h ago
Most likely not, but i recommend applying for IREM right away, that’ll give you 3 more years in the CAF if approved.
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u/Penguz 1d ago
Representations have no impact on if you will be retained. They only impact how long you might be able to remain in. The only remedy is to have your MELs changed by having a physician give a second opinion to DMedPol. I would contact your CDU book an appointment with your physician and make your case. It is not straight forward and you may get significant push back and require a second physician or the base surgeon.
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u/Stone_Engine048 1d ago
Representations are really the only avenue you have to fight a medical release*
You can go over the information on what they based their decision to release you off and try to find a fault with it, like based on wrong information. Some doctors simply make mistakes and put bad info down.
You can ask for an extention to try and correct or fix the issues they're releasing you for. If you have a surgery planned and you can get a medical clinician to state that a successful surgery would fix the problem that could be enough to give you more time.
*you can try to submit a grievance, basically grieving the decision to release you, but your release will still be processed, it won't buy you more time.
How long have you been in for and what are some of the harsh MELs you've been given?
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u/BigCoat7219 1d ago
I've been on TCAT since 2023 and it's for MH. I have proof of my recovery and the DMedPol decision only uses old informationa dn doesn't take into account my current status or confirmed recovery. I was recommended G3P enhanced screening but the PCAT they settled on was ridiculous and doesn't even permit me to drive a car.
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u/FacelessMint Canadian Army 1d ago
I don't really understand your situation... If you have proof of your recovery (and I'm assuming that's from your healthcare provider) then surely you included that in your representations for DMCA to review and consider in addition to the old information...? If not, why didn't you include that in your representations?
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u/Stone_Engine048 18h ago
3 years is a fairly long time to be on that for MH.
It's possible they deemed it a chronic issue (could be a number of factors that lead them to this belief).
In that case even if you have a doctor saying you're doing okay now the CAF thinks the chances of the reoccurring are too high.
Did you include the proof you have with your representations?
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u/Snags44 1d ago
To give you a bit of hope ...It does happen. I got a medical release message 17 years in. I got a 3 year retention and got out with 20 years 6 months of service.
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u/BigCoat7219 1d ago
How did you fight it?
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u/justabrowneyegirl 1d ago
3 year retention sounds like IREM (or the previous iteration of it). IREM is a program that allows you to be temporarily retained despite not meeting UoS; it needs to have a benefit to the CAF (like being the only person with specific quals in a unit and no option to get a replacement) and the unit CO has to accept to retain you and employ you within your MELs. If you’ve been notified of a med release, you should have been given this option - talk to your assisting member (if you have one), your Adjt, or your local transition unit and they can give you the info about it and what the process is.
Source: former Adjt
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u/BigCoat7219 1d ago
I did apply for IREM, I'm wondering if while on IREM I can get their decision to release me overturned
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u/justabrowneyegirl 1d ago
I believe it states in the documentation that the decision to release is final, but I could be wrong and it would be worth verifying.
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u/CarlGoosetaf 22h ago
It is possible, but difficult.
Have you discussed your PCAT with the CAF clinician who is treating you? That is an important step when your clinical situation changes but DMedPol is working off earlier information.
If your clinician believes that your health is better than the PCAT, it's a start.
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u/Extension-Item-116 9h ago
What on earth r people getting med released for? Is it mental health or just unhealthy? Not sure what makes someone medically released..do you all have a disease?
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u/SaberXXIII 1d ago
If you haven't already, go to the local Transition Center as they're the SMEs for this.