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Medical Rejection: How to Appeal? [Merged]

Having to wait three or four months, especially if the person does not know the exact reason for the deferral is not what I would call good service. If he is wanting to Appeal this finding if it is allowed then he needs those records sooner then later. Everything he has done is considered time sensitive.
I would be frustrated and a bit let down. especially since they have no answer at the center and are saying to appeal it with no further info.
One avenue you have is to put in a Freedom Of Information Act Request about your information. Be specific with dates and times and name/ positions of those involved.  They have to respond within 30day and  you usually have your information shortly after that time limit.
Be aware some of the geniuses think this is a bad thing to do, it might offend one of those people who feel offended about every and anything if the ball doesnt fall straight in the basket.
Another thing is it might tie up your official records longer to get to you because now they have to gain access and then copy them for you.

it is another avenue to take and you might get your information quicker,

 
CTD said:
Having to wait three or four months, especially if the person does not know the exact reason for the deferral is not what I would call good service. If he is wanting to Appeal this finding if it is allowed then he needs those records sooner then later. Everything he has done is considered time sensitive.
I would be frustrated and a bit let down. especially since they have no answer at the center and are saying to appeal it with no further info.
One avenue you have is to put in a Freedom Of Information Act Request about your information. Be specific with dates and times and name/ positions of those involved.  They have to respond within 30day and  you usually have your information shortly after that time limit.
Be aware some of the geniuses think this is a bad thing to do, it might offend one of those people who feel offended about every and anything if the ball doesnt fall straight in the basket.
Another thing is it might tie up your official records longer to get to you because now they have to gain access and then copy them for you.
it is another avenue to take and you might get your information quicker,

Before I begin, I'd like to point out I am both a frequent user of the ATI and Privacy (ATIP) Process in the course of investigations, and have had myself and my work the subject of numerous ATI requests, so I'm somewhat familiar with the process.

Freedom of Information Access to Information does not include ones own personal medical records. The applicant would need to file a request pursuant to the Privacy Act. Luckily, the process is nearly identical, except you don't have to pay a fee when it concerns the Privacy Act (as those records apply only to the party requesting them). For example, I cannot request your service records under the Privacy Act as a lay person.

This is where you can make a request pursuant to the Privacy Act. If it's an open or ongoing issue, I doubt you will receive anything until the issue is resolved (ie you are processed, rejected, or your appeal(s) are concluded). The ideal timeline is 30 days, however there are too many factors to count as to why that often isn't so. I would not throw all my chickens in the basket of getting your information within 30 days.

Lastly, I don't want to give the impression I'm encouraging or discouraging you from submitting an ATIP request. I don't work in recruiting, but I imagine their operational tempo is high. I don't think anyone is unprofessional enough to want to cause your application harm further down the road because you ATIP'd yourself, but I've been surprised by ATIP findings plenty in recent days.

As a note of personal advice to the OP, if you have a medical issue significant enough to warrant your application being rejected, and you really truly don't know about it, I would strongly consider booking an appointment with your doctor.
 
When I was applying I was medically rejected and appealed it successfully. Long story short, the CF decided I still had a medical condition I suffered from as a child even though I did not. The process of appealing it was long and drawn out and if you don't give the CF everything the ask for it further draws out the process and can still result in a rejection.
 
nhall22 said:
Ah ok that makes a little more sense.  Guess I'll hurry up and wait lol.

CTD said:
Having to wait three or four months, especially if the person does not know the exact reason for the deferral is not what I would call good service. If he is wanting to Appeal this finding if it is allowed then he needs those records sooner then later. Everything he has done is considered time sensitive.
I would be frustrated and a bit let down. especially since they have no answer at the center and are saying to appeal it with no further info.
One avenue you have is to put in a Freedom Of Information Act Request about your information. Be specific with dates and times and name/ positions of those involved.  They have to respond within 30day and  you usually have your information shortly after that time limit.
Be aware some of the geniuses think this is a bad thing to do, it might offend one of those people who feel offended about every and anything if the ball doesnt fall straight in the basket.
Another thing is it might tie up your official records longer to get to you because now they have to gain access and then copy them for you.

it is another avenue to take and you might get your information quicker,

It won't take 3-4 months to receive the letter that states you are medically unfit for service.

The day they make the ruling, the letter goes into the mail.

You'll get in about 2-3 weeks.
 
LunchMeat said:
It won't take 3-4 months to receive the letter that states you are medically unfit for service.

The day they make the ruling, the letter goes into the mail.

You'll get in about 2-3 weeks.
And this is based on what exactly? Your extensive experience working in that office?

Even IF this is based on personal experience, where you actually received a similar letter, does not mean that will be the OP's experience. You have zero intimate knowledge of his case, don't go around giving false hopes when he has been given a specific timeline by someone who has actual knowledge of what they had been told to pass on...
 
Hi,

First of all, thank you for your time, I will try to make a long story short.

In september 2017, just before I turn 30, I quited smoking both cigaret and cannabis. I was smoking both since 2004. I did stop overnight, eithout help of any sort and without going back.

I submitted my application in november 2017. I did pass the aptitude test and have been totally honnest on the drug and alcool consumption survey so, I got an email saying I need to wait a year before I can try again. So I did.

In September 2018, I tried again and got my medical appointment on December 14 2018. The medical officer told me that everything was in order but to go on in with my demand I needed to consult a psychologist to confirm that I'm not addicted to cannabis and that I am able to handle stress and pressure. So I did. One month later, I submitted the report from the psychologist who stated that I am not addicted and that I do can handle stress.

3 month later I received a letter stating that I am refused due to my earlier repeated and frequent cannabis consumption. Yes I was smoking often and sometimes multiple time a day but only after work and also, the quantity never been asked...I was smoking often but really small quantities. The letter state that I can ask for a medical file revision and that I should be stating which aspect of my refusal I disagree with. So I did. I wrote a whole page about the fact that I know I made bad decision in the past but that those thing are behind me and that I am fully committed to join the forces and follow the rules. Plus, it is the only stain in my folder. I have never been arrested for anything, never did nothing specially wrong, I was just a cannabis smoker. Also, even as a smoker I was doing sports regularly so I am still in a good shape. (I did practice for the F.O.R.C.E test and beat the minimum easily)

Then I went to the recruitment centre to give the letter and ask for advice. I have been told that without documents from a specialist, my demand will most likely wont change anything. So I asked what should I do? Should I go get another report from another psychologist or is it useless? No one seemed to know as they can't acces my medical folder. They said try and see, it's the best way to know...

So my he's my question: is there a way to know if I am and will be refused for good? I don't really want to spend another 350$ for a psychologist report stating the exact same thing as the first one but I totally will if there is the slightest chance it will work. Someone don't just decide to join the CAF at 30 without being totally serious about it and I think that with all the time and effort I have put in it, even after 2 refusal, I have shown that my choice is made and I am really commited to be part of the CAF.

I just think that it is a bit sad that I am refused because of something I don't do anymore and is now totally legal. I can't stop thinking that someone dishonest with the same background as me would probably have been accepted.

Thank you very much and sorry for my broken English, I'm a french Canadian.

Joey Côté


edits: fixing typos...
 
JoeyC said:
The letter state that I can ask for a medical file revision and that I should be stating which aspect of my refusal I disagree with.

You may find this discussion of interest,

Appeal of Enrollment Medical [Merged]
https://army.ca/forums/threads/22935.0
8 pages.

As always, Recruiting is your most trusted source of official, up to date, information.

"Unofficial site, not associated with DND or the Canadian Armed Forces."

 
Thank you for your reply!

I totally understand that this forum is not official and I know that answer or advice i get here must be taken with a grain of salt.
I was just seeking advice and thought that it would be the best place to find someone who is in the same boat as me or saw/heard similar story.
That said, I have read the whole other post and what is bugging me, is:

- That I already saw professionals who stated that I'm OK, I have already proven that I am not addicted.
- There is no precise statement on what should be fixed, just stating that I don't fit the standard because I was using (now legal) drug.
- The recruiting officers had no clues on what was the best way to do.

It seems that other people either haven't seen a professional prior to the letter, got some sort clear statement telling them what to fix or had or have had health problem of some sort.

I just don't get why I'm refused. I am healthy and doing sports, do not have any medical problem, do not need to be followed by any expert for anything and I am honnest.

One thing I asked the at the recruitment centre was if I am limited to one appeal and they couldn't tell me for sure. If I can send my letter stating why I think they are wrong about my medical requirements and then, if it fail, send an official report from a professional, I would do it this way and try to save some money.

I understand that it's always better to do it once but do it right, but since I have been waiting for 1.5 year while taking only short therm work contracts and hoping I'd get a call, money is quite scarce at the moment.

Thanks again, much appreciated!

JoeyC
 
JoeyC said:
Thank you for your reply!

Thanks again, much appreciated!

JoeyC

You are welcome. Good luck. :)
 
So, basically after a month or running in circles, no one really knows or can say what would be (in average) the threshold or if my appeal even got a chance. I just got a letter from my family physician stating I don't need medical support/attention/care whatsoever and that there is no case of addiction in my family. I will submit that with my appeal. I am currently trying to find a psychologist willing to consult me but so far, just like last time, as soon as I mention the CAF they don't want to do it. Last time I called 23 of them before I found one willing to fill the sheet given at medical test. I don't know why psychologist are afraid to make documents that will be submitted to CAF but I can assure you that it is very real and starting to get annoying. I will keep this post updated when there will be changes so others with similar background will be able to have a base line.

Have a nice day.

Edit: I have been told by a psychologist the maybe a criminologist could do it. Anyone know if this would be relevant? (Bit "it" a mean a report stating that I have no chance of relapse.)
 
I'm just wondering if anyone is currently waiting to do their interview but haven't been given clearance from the RMO?

I had my medical in January 2019, the medical doctor, for whatever reason, deemed me unfit and then gave me some forms for my doctor to sign.

I got the papers signed, expressed post it back to the recruitment office and they sent it off.

I've been calling every two weeks to find out what's going on and they say that the head RMO office is backed up for months?


*Back story

I've already been in the CAF, voluntarily released due to what I thought was a past leg issue. I VRd because I wanted my doctor to handle it because he knew of the issue.

I got all my clearance from my doctors, went and saw specialists and I'm completely fine. Turns out it was just me being out of shape. Then I hired a personal trainer and have been seeing her for almost a year now. So I'm 100% ready.
 
Good Morning Army.ca,

I am looking for advice and direction with a problem that hit me like a ton of brinks, I was deemed "Unfit For Service"

Background - I originally applied to the forces in August 2016, I did my CFAT and moved onto the next step being the prior drug usage.. and that's where this starts.

I wasn't the best kid and I consumed my fair share of cannabis. I then realized what I wanted to do with my life and applied to the Forces so I stopped and applied.
I was told I had to be "clean" for a year, so I returned in a year.

After jumping through hoop after hoop and signing and filling out form after form it took another year, but I finally got my medical and passed.

A week later I get a call saying I need to get one more thing filled out and submitted. I had to get my Family Doctor to fill out a form about drug abuse, considering I had been sober for two years at this point, I thought nothing of it they were covering their bases. I submitted it a week later.

No, I was wrong. A little over two months pass and I haven't heard anything, so I decide to go in and talk with a recruiter. Who then informs me that a different Medical Officer took over my file and deemed that I was now "Unfit For Service" due to whatever he decided. 

My file permanently reads Drug Abuse Disorder.

I have been struggling and weighing my options for the past few months, having come to a decision, I plan on making an appeal and pursuing this career.

It has been Three Years I am sober and Cannabis is now legal, but here I am, while the Army is struggling, looking for people, Unfit for Service.


My question is what do I do?
How do I go about appealing this?
Will this affect me if I do appeal and get in?

    Thank you for any information,  - Jordan Jarvis
 
Hi everybody,

I am located in Kingston and fill-in an application for the Reserve, 21 EW Regt (Comm Research). I successfully completed the fitness test, the aptitude tests and the interview. From the nurse opinion’s who evaluated my medicals, I am fit for training. However, it seems to take forever for the medicals to get processed.

Summer time seems to be the busiest time of the year, here in Kingston as of recruitment. I was hoping to get to Gagetown before July. Seems it won’t be happening. Just a bit disappointed because the Officer who gave me the interview advised me to inform my employer as soon as possible, because I would be leaving shortly for BMQ - which I did. For that reason, my employment contract have been shortened by a couple of weeks. I have to be back in Kingston by July 10th, and it’s already end of May. Seems I won’t be able to make it for the 8 weeks training.

I was wondering if Gagetown base may not be operational right now because of the flooding? However, the officer told me that BMQ training programs start every week of the summer....Do they send to training in priority recruits for the regular forces over the reserve? Do anybody knows if there are BMQ going on between August and December? I understand things work differently with CAF....I was just wondering a little bit what to expect....

Thanks a lot,


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
When I got a letter from the rmo, they rejected me because I have symptoms of asthma after the age of 13. But my asthma is so minor that I have played two hockey and junior hockey, I can run, bike outside, I’ve dirt biked all my life and I havnt needed to carry a rescue inhaler since I was maybe 10 years old. Further to that, I don’t even take my asthma medication anymore and I have a letter from a medical doctor saying that I am not asthmatic and the results of a pulmonary function test to prove it. I sent that all in with my application and got turned away because of asthma. I got upset and threw out the letter and now I have no idea how to appeal the decision. How do I start this process ?
 
Hello!
I have the same inquiry. I received the letter saying I was rejected because of Iron deficiency. But I have copy of my lab reports and my Doctor told me my number is not Iron deficient. The appeal instruction on the letter is to submit for consideration new pertinent medical information. I want to know what exactly is the process of appealing? Do I have to submit new blood works? Is there an official form that should be filled out by my doctor to detail or explain my lab results?
Please help. Thanks!

 
Does anyone have a PDF copy of the forms needed for medical appeal? Can someone send me a copy?
Thanks
 
Jiminito said:
Does anyone have a PDF copy of the forms needed for medical appeal? Can someone send me a copy?
Thanks

Just what are your going to appeal?  This answer was pretty clear:
jaqen said:
I think your options are limited. You have to improve your unaided vision somehow and the only way to do that is through Lasik. So it's either lasik or no CF.
 
I was recently rejected for Infantry Officer because I was deemed medically unfit due to subclinical thyroiditis.  Earlier this year I received a stem cell treatment which has reversed all of my symptoms and my bloodwork is now normal.  I was not on medication before the treatment, nor after, and have not been under doctor supervision since - My doctor even sent a form indicating that there should be no reason why I  would be unfit for service. I have since cleaned up my diet, which was terrible, am now exercising multiple times a day, and getting adequate sleep to prepare for the infantry.  Would anyone have any information as to what I can expect for my appeal process? Any advice as to how to get into the Forces would be welcomed.

Tl;Dr Was sick and am now healthy.  Any advice as to how I can succeed in the appeal process would be appreciated.
 
You'll need to prove you're euthyroid and continue to remain that way...might benefit to have a letter from an endocrinologist attesting to the same, but that could take some time to get into one.

MM
 
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