Answer Please

The Truth is Needed

Dear Mr Jones


Thank you for your letter. Since you agree that the Medical Discharge Boards are far from perfect and that medically discharged soldiers should be briefed fully prior to their discharge procedure, why haven't you consulted those people at the sharp end who have been through the process?  There are a number of other issues in your letter that I would like you to answer namely:


1. The SPVA only become further involved once a decision to discharge has been reached.(90 days before discharge) I would be interested to know where you received this information from because it is not correct. If you had asked the appropriate question the SPVA would tell you that they are not permitted any documents on people being discharged until they are out of the military system. The mental health welfare teams are lucky if they get any information on those leaving with PTSD or other disablement. Can you tell me if you intend to change this?


2. Former personnel who are on the old pensions system will not be given a pension forecast. Why is this and will it changed? If so, when will it be changed?


3. Service personnel that are medically discharged on the old pension system have no idea about their percentage of disability before they leave the services – instead it is sent to them over a period of 8 weeks.  This is why so many veterans go to appeal. If the Government do care about service personnel after their discharge surely it would be better to calculate their pension before they leave the services? Or is there a specific reason why they are not told?


I look forward to your reply.
Respectfully yours


Nicholas Cowan
One Common Cause


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