I'm new to all of this and could use some guidance

Best thing is to report them to the licencing body that they belong to. Social Workers have their own, Nurses have their own. I would not bother with reporting them to VAC.
MFT was great to deal with in terms of getting marijuana papers done. No hussle dealing with VAC and their "I approve you .... thank us for being so generous to you (though you do not deserve it)" kind of attitude. "We are doing you a favour' shit.

I've actually had a few case managers now, because I keep getting rid of them for one reason or another.  The most ridiculous experience I've had was with my first CM. She literally sent me a mini flashlight in the mail, with a card saying it would help me find my way. I told her to FO, and that was the last time I dealt with her. I also filed a formal complaint against her for it. However, I was never told what if any reprimand she faced for that nonsense.

czerv wrote:I started couple of years ago with Kelly Sheehan. Had one mtg with her when she was taking my case and offered nothing. When I asked about Medical M: she laughed and said NO.  
Then they hired new people and I got a new CM: same thing - offerred nothing.
Thanks to this veterans' site I learned a LOT and keep applying on my own.
Thank you so much for this great info.  Some of you are very patient with posting info and explanations.  Cheers

I too was told not to bother applying for Medical Marijuana by my CM. But, I went ahead and applied for it anyway and low and behold, I was approved on first application.

I'm convinced that most CM''s really have no clue what they are doing.

I started couple of years ago with Kelly Sheehan. Had one mtg with her when she was taking my case and offered nothing. When I asked about Medical M: she laughed and said NO.
Then they hired new people and I got a new CM: same thing - offerred nothing.
Thanks to this veterans' site I learned a LOT and keep applying on my own.
Thank you so much for this great info. Some of you are very patient with posting info and explanations. Cheers

Wow... it's amazing how many case managers mislead veterans. This happened to me as well. During the entire time I was on Earnings Loss Benefit, my CM kept telling me that if I applied for PIA (now CIA) and was approved that I would lose the ELB. He also told me that it was very unlikely that I would be approved anyway. Well, when I no longer had a CM, I decided to apply for PIA myself and guess what.... I was approved right away. Further, correct me if I'm wrong but, after reading this forum I'm pretty sure that I read of other people who were receiving both PIA and ELB at the same time without ELB being reduced! So, I lost out on probably 5 or 6 years of PIA because of that CM!

I wish there was a way to address this problem of misinformation and go back retroactively to when I SHOULD have been approved PIA.

Trooper wrote:
 
     " Many have applied over the negative direction given by their CM and were approved, "

That's basically what happened to me albeit for a L&R lower limb consequential applic. and I'll never forget it. My cm's supervisor/pension officer(?) told me adamantly it would be denied. They even pre-printed a 20+ page new applic.  for my doctor to fill out again. But my doctor said no, the first one was correct. I sent in the first one and was VERY much approved.
  Still, maybe I was lucky because as we know VAC have disagreed with even the top specialists in their field.

I was told years ago by my CM that I wouldn't be approved for the CIA (previously know as the PIA) so I didn't bother applying. Then in January of 2016 I went ahead and applied anyway, I thought what have I got to lose. I was subsequently awarded Grade 3 CIA.

So that's a classic example of a CM who thought she knew more than she really did and caused me to lose out on a benefit for a few years.

Some case managers work outside their scope of practice, and in some cases that actually benefits the veteran, but more often than not, it hurts the veteran.

Thank you Trooper!
Good to know 👍

By the Bay wrote:Trooper,
I just got my 1st CM and she seems nice😆 So I dont need another one just yet...lol
But some people might be interested in knowing and maybe  beneficial to mention 'How Does One Replace a Case Manager?'
Do you write a letter to someone? I find with any Government Agency, you always gotta write a darn letter! Lol
Cheers,
By the Bay

No, you just tell them not to bother with you anymore, don't call and don't send me letters.

You then can contact VAC and ask them for a different contact of CM's in your area.
A CM is not always required, but a good CM that's all the ball can help you in so many ways.

The way I see it is simple, if a CM is not supporting you at the level their suppose to, your better off without them because if they don't support you, you will not be successful in your applications.

Most CM's are supportive, there's the odd ones who are not well educated in their duties, and do not show the support they should.

Many occasions where I have read that a CM directed a client (Veteran) not to apply, you'II never get approved for that, in many cases the Veteran gives up believing the CM and loses out on benefits. Many have applied over the negative direction given by their CM and were approved, I have seen this many times. A CM's duties is to assist the Veteran in obtaining benefits, if a CM says such things as you will not get approved for this or that, don't allow this CM to discourage you in your effort to apply, apply anyway, if you need assistance, ask for another CM.

Trooper,
I just got my 1st CM and she seems nice😆 So I dont need another one just yet...lol
But some people might be interested in knowing and maybe beneficial to mention 'How Does One Replace a Case Manager?'
Do you write a letter to someone? I find with any Government Agency, you always gotta write a darn letter! Lol
Cheers,
By the Bay

I'm done with her Trooper. Now I'm waiting to see who's next.  I can only hope the next CM is different.  

I really do appreciate having CSAT and it's members for support too. I failed to mention that earlier along with my psychologist. I erred in saying Medical Marijuana was responsible for keeping me going. It certainly helps a great deal.  And I have some close friends who try to help too. Luckily I have a friend I grew up with who's also veteran, I mentioned him in another post today. He gets it totally of course. I can honestly say we've been their for each other through thick and thin.

I almost forgot to mention my daughter, she's there for me too, although she's an adult, I try not to lay to much on her door step. She's just barely an adult and I don't want her to worry about me.

bruce72 wrote:

prawnstar wrote:Bigrex nice to have a CM that did her job. I had the same done for me by my CM. I wish they all took a personal interest in us like they did.

I recently told a case manager working on my second application for the Rehab program, that she's no longer allowed access to my file. She's a defender of the system, which means she's not on my corner.  I understand that CM's have guidelines and parameters they are required to work within,  but I cannot accept a CM who defends the they way the government treats veterans and acts like VAC is doing us all favours by allowing us access to benefits.

I've said it time and again, I'd give back all the compensation I've received, to be who I was before I served. In all fairness, my life hasn't been all hell in a basket, but the majority of it over the last 10 years hasn't been good. Sometimes I'm on top of the world,  but most of the time I'm conning myself into thinking I'm okay. When in reality I'm anything but that.

I'm just so tired of being angry all the time.

I'm not trying to dramatic or solicit sympathy, but if it wasn't for medical marijuana I would have probably eaten the barrel of a shot gun all hammered one night. In fact 3 years ago I sold all my firearms and let my firearms licence expire.

I agree,

If your CM is not supporting you, get rid of him or her.

The long ordeal that takes place in applying for benefits through VAC is a nightmare. Anger is almost inevitable when you get denied, anger sets in and whatever conditions you have are worsen by a system that is suppose to be in place to help. It's extremely difficult to keep your cool when dealing with such a naive organization. What worked for me in keeping myself sane throughout the long tortured process was I kept saying to myself that no person or organization is going to break me, I am much smarter then those who control the process, I will in the end be approved for every benefit that I deserve and entitled to. I will not give up, and no matter the bumps that occur during the process, this will not interfere in my ability to continue fighting. This attitude I believe gave me the strength to persevere.

prawnstar wrote:Bigrex nice to have a CM that did her job. I had the same done for me by my CM. I wish they all took a personal interest in us like they did.

I recently told a case manager working on my second application for the Rehab program, that she's no longer allowed access to my file. She's a defender of the system, which means she's not on my corner.  I understand that CM's have guidelines and parameters they are required to work within,  but I cannot accept a CM who defends the they way the government treats veterans and acts like VAC is doing us all favours by allowing us access to benefits.

I've said it time and again, I'd give back all the compensation I've received, to be who I was before I served. In all fairness, my life hasn't been all hell in a basket, but the majority of it over the last 10 years hasn't been good. Sometimes I'm on top of the world,  but most of the time I'm conning myself into thinking I'm okay. When in reality I'm anything but that.

I'm just so tired of being angry all the time.

I'm not trying to dramatic or solicit sympathy, but if it wasn't for medical marijuana I would have probably eaten the barrel of a shot gun all hammered one night. In fact 3 years ago I sold all my firearms and let my firearms licence expire.

The word needs to get out there. 
This is not a GoC (Government of Canada) site, nor a VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) site, but a site with living breathing veterans; with real life experience in all aspects of dealing with this insurance guided mentality.

No complaints from me. 
Type away, we're here to help and hopefully not hinder your Q of L (Quality of Life).

I don't know what to say...
This forum is probably the best place.. thanks so much for the advice and support, all of you.