To serve is not enough: many Canadian veterans forced to prove disabilities

Veterans in Sudbury say they're fed up with the bureaucracy.

Several veterans attended a town hall meeting last night, organized by Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre.

They said they're having trouble accessing medical benefits, and some are forced to pay for medication out of their own pockets.

Matthew Bleach was discharged from the Canadian military three years ago as a result of epilepsy.

He collects long term disability benefits from Veterans Affairs, but for a year, he's been fighting to get his medication covered because of changes in his prescriptions.

"One of the medications that my neurologist gave me isn't covered under their benefit plan," Bleach said, "probably because it cost $400 a month. So, they denied me. I had to pay for it for six months."

"I have full disability [benefits]. It's for my disability," Bleach said, "why are they not paying for our medications? Why do we have to fight them?"

Anastasia Dufour has been paying out of her own pocket while she waits for disability benefits.

She was granted a medical release after 36 years of service.

Despite her long career with the military, she said Veterans Affairs wants her to prove that she has a medical condition.

"They're trying to tell me [to], 'show that it's related to service.'" Dufour said, "well, I've been in the military my whole life. How is it not related to service?"

Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said he understands the concerns.

"What can we do? Are you aware that we are here to help you?," Lefebvre said, "I want to ask them as well, how is the best way to communicate with them?"

Lefebvre said he will meet with Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr in September to discuss these matters further.