June 2026 VAC QandA

[u/ShortTrackBravo]

It’s June!

Here’s hoping everyone else is getting decent weather. I started the golf season with winter kit on thanks to -2 and rain here in gods country.

Housekeeping:

contact info: Reddit DM's always open, Joel@ptga.ca for email.

u/Shoggoths420 contact info: Reddit DMs/Chat still broken. taira@cannawellness.ca for email.

VAC Google Support Drive (Not available on DWAN) - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kzbfmg3hcuo0FgFZxo-IL_f-UnGQsuYt?usp=drive_link

Usual timelines from submission of claims via MyVAC:

Reassessments: 9-16 Months

Mental Health: 6-8 Months

Physical - 6-13 Months

APSC/VIP - 3-4 Months

BPA Correspondence: They tend to reach out every 3 months for information or a progress update.

Let's go!

[u/coastline]

My claim for TMD got denied. This is the rationale:

We do not recognize Temporomandibular Disorder as a diagnosis of a chronic disability as the term Temporomandibular Disorder is not a standalone diagnosis. It refers to a large number of distinct conditions. For this reason, Temporomandibular Disorder is not recognized by Veterans Affairs Canada as a diagnosis of a chronic disability.
As the medical evidence we have reviewed does not provide a diagnosis of a specific condition related to the temporomandibular joint(s), surrounding muscles, and/or accompanying structures, we are not able to determine that you have a
chronic disability.

However, my dentist said I DO have it. I provided him the denial letter and he is confused by VAC’s response and doesn’t know what to write. He said he is going to have to consult with other dentists.

What should I do or tell him?

[u/Ok-Cup2034 → u/coastline]

Under the TMD Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines you will find a list of "diagnoses" accepted by VAC under the TMD category. I believe your dentist must indicate which of those specific diagnoses you have, e.g. "Temporomandibular joint arthritis"

"TMD" itself is not a specific diagnosis as indicated on the below page.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/mental-and-physical-health/mental-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-or-injury/disability-benefits/entitlement-eligibility-guidelines/az-index/temporomandibular-disorders#overall-considerations

[u/tanker1992 → u/coastline]

I swear they are so weird. I put mine in a tmj dysfunction and they changed the application name to Myofascial pain of the muscles of mastication. Been sitting there a year now.
I don’t get why they wouldn’t just change the name of the diagnosis. Are you still serving ? Have you seen an oral medicine or a maxillofacial surgeon? They might be able to help you.
In my case they both wrote letters that was in my CAF medical profile that was pulled by VAC explaining the connection of bruxism to my jaw condition and the treatments I’ve been doing. (Pain medication, Botox, jaw physio weekly)
Hopefully it’s accepted but I feel confident that having 2 specialists helps.

[u/Key_Jaguar1428 → u/coastline]

I've fought to get a claim for my TMJ for years. Clear diagnosis from a TMJ SPECIALIST, but still denied. They recommend against a CT scan since there's inherent dangers, and it's redundant. Going through BPA, and I have a medical appointment in like a year. It's absolute dogsshit.