# 2022-004 Pay and Benefits, Medical condition

Case summary

F&R Date: 2023-03-08

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was unable to provide proper fitting boots to the grievor. After suffering foot injury due to the ill-fitting boots, the grievor searched for and purchased their own boots. The grievor was denied reimbursement for the cost of the commercial boots that they had purchased because they were not an approved colour. As redress, the grievor sought reimbursement.

The Wing Commander, acting as the Initial Authority, was unable to render a decision within the time limit prescribed by article 7.15 of the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces.

The Committee found that it was the responsibility of the CAF supply system to ensure that the correct size footwear is issued to all personnel. The Committee also found that when the CAF was unable to resolve the grievor's fitting issue, the grievor and the CAF doctors were left with no choice but to act on their own for the health of the grievor. The Committee noted that the boots purchased by the grievor met the Royal Canadian Air Force requirements except for the colour, and that the boots were only available in that colour at the time of purchase. The Committee concluded that obtaining properly fitted boots was vital to the health of the grievor and took precedence over being the wrong colour. In the grievor's circumstances, the Committee found that the colour issue should be waived and that the grievor should be reimbursed for the boots they purchased at their own expense.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority afford redress by directing that the grievor be reimbursed for the purchase of the boots.

FA decision summary

The Commander Royal Canadian Air Force, acting as FA, agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation and directed that the grievor be reimbursed for the purchase of her boots.