The evaluation of the Disability Benefits program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014–19. The objective of the Disability Benefits program is to compensate Veterans/members and other individuals in recognition of the effects of service-related disabilities, death or incarceration/evasion/escape. The Disability Benefits program consists of both the Disability Pension and the Disability Award. The Pension Act of 1919 provides the framework for the Disability Pension (DP) which is a tax-free monthly payment, with the amount of the payment based on the extent of the Veteran's diagnosed medical disability related to their service. The Disability Award (DA), established in 2006 as part of the New Veterans Charter (NVC), provides injured members and Veterans with a tax-free cash award for an injury or illness resulting from military service. The amount of the award will depend on the severity of the disability. The Disability Benefits program provides a gateway to other VAC programs, services and benefits.

This evaluation of the Health Care Benefits and Services Program was conducted in accordance with Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) approved multi-year, risk-based Evaluation Plan 2012-2017. The Health Care Benefits and Services Program, commonly referred to as the Treatment Benefits Program, provides Veteran recipients with access to extended health care. There are 14 benefits and services groups comprising a wide range of offerings. An overview of the benefits and services can be found in Appendix A. The evaluation examined the relevance and performance of the Program, and was conducted in accordance with Treasury Board policy requirements and related Treasury Board Secretariat guidance material. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.

The evaluation of Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) Disability Pension and Disability Award Programs originated in the requirement to support the renewal of the Terms and Conditions of the Disability Award Program by March 2011. The Disability Award Program is part of the New Veterans Charter (NVC) suite of programs introduced in 2006 in order to meet the needs of a shifting client demographic. The NVC represents the most sweeping changes to Veterans’ benefits and services in the past 60 years.

Approval of a disability pension or award application requires the establishment of a relationship between the claimed disability or injury and service. Service and health records (SHR) that are held at the Department of National Defence (DND), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), or at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) are the primary means to establish this relationship. The digitization of SHRs was implemented to improve internal processes and expedite service to Veterans seeking disability benefits. The objective of the audit was to assess the management control framework, determine compliance with applicable policies and processes, and assess turnaround times and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

The Veterans Affairs Canada Health Care Benefits Program provides eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals with benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations, through 14 Programs of Choice. Under the Veterans Health Care Regulations and Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals have access to benefits and services, such as medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices and home adaptations. Related Health Services are services provided by health care professionals other than physicians, dentists and nurses. Examples of these types of services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, speech language pathology and psychological counseling. The objective of this audit was to assess Veterans Affairs Canada’s management control framework, and compliance with applicable policies and processes, and to identify any potential opportunities to improve efficiency of decision making for Related Health Services. The scope covered transactions processed from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.

A presentation of the number of dispositions issued in the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review by fiscal year.

A presentation of the number of dispositions issued in the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review by fiscal year.

The *Access to Information Act* gives Canadian citizens and corporations the right to have access to federal government records, subject to certain specific exceptions. The *Act* complements but does not replace other procedures for obtaining government information. It is not intended to limit in any way the access to government information that is normally available to the public upon request. These annual reports on the administration of the *Access to Information Act* describes how Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (OVO) fulfilled their responsibilities under the *Access to Information Act* during each fiscal year beginning April 1 and ending March 31.

The evaluation of the Financial Benefits Program was conducted in accordance with the Veterans Affairs Canada Multi-Year Risk-Based Evaluation Plan 2014-19. The program was last evaluated as part of an overall New Veterans Charter Evaluation in 2010-11. The Financial Benefits Program was established in 2006 under the authority of the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, with subsequent amendments expanding eligibility and adding programs. It provides economic support to eligible Canadian Armed Forces Veterans, survivors, and dependents in recognition of the economic impact that a career ending and/or service-related injury or death can have on a Veteran’s ability to earn income, advance in a career or save for retirement. As per Treasury Board Secretariat policy requirements and guidance, this evaluation examined the Financial Benefits Program’s relevance and performance. The evaluation findings and conclusions are based on the analysis of multiple lines of qualitative and quantitative evidence.