A Brechin man injured in Afghanistan four years ago continues to struggle to break through government red tape for compensation.
Tim Aleman has come a long way since March 19th, 2009. That was the day a fellow soldier stepped on a pressure activated bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan. The blast killed two Canadian soldiers, an interpreter, and left Aleman clinging to life.
“The blood started coming out, it was coming out of my throat and my face and the next thing I remember was a young soldier jumping on me and performing first aid.”
Four years and multiple surgeries later, Aleman deals with the effects of his combat injury every day. He has shrapnel in his neck and suffers from post-traumatic stress. But it’s not just the injuries making his life difficult.
“Bureaucratic red tape and the process of how everything has changed make it very difficult and frustrating for everyone to go through to get any claims and compensation for their injuries.”
In the past, injured Vets were compensated with disability pension which covered expanses for the rest of their lives. In 2006, the government changed things and introduced a new veterans charter.
“It became a lump sum payment, up to $250,000. Right now there are guys who lost both legs in Afghanistan and all they get is $250,000 and that’s not right.”
Many injured and ill soldiers struggle, a reality brought to light earlier this fall by Canada's Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent who says there is an urgent need for changes in the way compensation is handled.
The office of Julian Fantino, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, sent CTV News this statement on Friday, November 8th, 2013:"The Government will support the comprehensive review of the New Veterans Charter, including all enhancements, with a special focus placed on the most seriously injured, support for families and the delivery of programs by Veterans Affairs Canada."
On Thursday, the Conservatives introduced legislation that would give injured veterans priority hiring for government jobs.
The important thing for Aleman: soldiers need to know they’ll be looked after when they get home.
“Veterans need to be assured that they’re going to be looked after and their families are going to be looked after when they come back from a combat zone.”
A number of soldiers who severed in Afghanistan have filed a class-action lawsuit against the government over the new charter. A lawsuit the federal government plans to defend itself against saying they can’t be bound by the decisions of previous governments on how to care for injured veterans.
