Let’s Not Overlook the Needs of Suffering Veterans

Ottawa - February 7, 2013

Yesterday, the Minister of Veterans Affairs released the report of the independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Health, which was formed to review and assess the information available on the health effects and potential exposure of Canadian Forces (CF) personnel to depleted uranium (DU).

My first impression is that the review has been conducted thoroughly and objectively. As some of you may know, the Committee has concluded that it is unlikely that Canadian Forces members have been exposed to levels of depleted uranium that could be harmful to their health. However, the committee has also acknowledged that “there are many Veterans suffering from persistent symptoms following deployment or military conflict which, although not linked to specific exposures such as DU, can cause considerable suffering.” 

Annex F of the report, Chronic Symptom-based Illnesses Following Wars, starts with the sentence: “A condition frequently reported after military conflicts is characterized by persistent symptoms for which physical examination and laboratory testing is often unrevealing.” The acknowledgement that some Veterans are suffering from symptoms that science cannot currently explain is important.

What must not be forgotten here is that many CF members go on mission healthy but return from duty ill for unknown reasons. That is a fact that must be acknowledged by Veterans Affairs Canada. The needs of these suffering Veterans must be addressed even if science cannot explain the cause of their symptoms. 

Guy

Date Modified: 2013-02-07

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Comments

13036 Laking RT said:

February 28, 2013 5:05 PM

Gord5467 said:

February 15, 2013 9:20 PM


Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

Please call the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman at 1-877-330-4343 (toll free number) to discuss your case.

February 22, 2013 4:41 PM

Claude said:

February 14, 2013 1:34 PM

Harmonie said:

February 14, 2013 9:25 AM

concerned said:

February 13, 2013 11:56 AM


Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

Thank you for your comment. There is no specific link that you can access to see how each successive federal budget has impacted programs and services for ill and injured Veterans and serving members of the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. The Veterans Ombudsman has detailed the priorities of his Office to ensure the fair treatment of current and former members of the Canadian Forces and the RCMP in his annual report, which you may find useful http://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/reports-rapports/annual-annuel-2011-2012-eng.cfm.

February 20, 2013 9:39 AM