Phase 1: From injury or diagnosis of illness to medical release decision
Phase 1 begins when a CAF member is injured or diagnosed with an illness and continues until a medical release decision is made by the Director Military Careers Administration (DMCA). This phase is important for gathering necessary medical documentation, securing appropriate care, and understanding available benefits before transitioning to the next stage.
The three phases of medical release
Is this your first visit?
This is not official policy or instructions. If this is your first visit, review the considerations before proceeding through the phases.
Direct questions or concerns about your release to your chain of command, your CAF Nurse Case Manager, or your local CAF Transition Centre (CAF TC).
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Step 1: Report an accident, injury or illness
- Complete a CF 98 – Report of Injury, Disease or Illness form (available only on the Defence Network). Your supervisor or your orderly room staff can help you complete the form.
- Provide the names and contact information of witnesses.
- If applicable, complete Form DND 663, General Safety Hazardous Occurrence Report as per DAOD 2007-1, General Safety Program.
- Have CAF Health, support and casualty services assess your condition. They can also provide information on resources in your area.
- If you release from the CAF, request a copy of your medical files including your CF-98 forms. VAC will use this information to determine whether your illness or injury is attributable to service or was aggravated by service. This could affect your eligibility for benefits.
- Complete a CF 98 – Report of Injury, Disease or Illness form (available only on the Defence Network). Your supervisor or your orderly room staff can help you complete the form.
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Step 2: Get a determination of your medical condition
Three options are possible if you have an accident, are injured or are ill. Your health care team will assess your condition and determine the most appropriate option for you.
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Option 1—Return to Duty
If you will be returning to work, ask your health care providers about the CAFs’ Return to Duty services.
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Option 2—Temporary Medical Category (TCat)
- Ask your health care providers about the treatment and prognosis of your condition.
- Find out if a referral to a CAF Nurse Case Manager would help coordinate your health care and service needs.
- Advise your chain of command about your TCat assignment and employment limitations.
Not all medical conditions result in leaving the CAF.
Related link
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Option 3—Permanent Medical Category (PCat)
A PCat begins when the Director Medical Policy (D Med Pol) completes a form entitled DND 4345 Medical Employment Limitations for Administrative Review.
When D Med Pol receives your request, they will refer you to a Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) Nurse Case Manager. The (CFHS) Nurse Case Manager will discuss your medical circumstances with you. If DMCA determines that a transition out of the military is the most appropriate response, they will include a recommendation that you contact Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for assignment of either a Case Manager or a Veterans Services Agent (VSA).
- If VAC determines that your medical circumstances are "complex", a VAC Case Manager will work closely with the CFHS Nurse Case Manager to develop joint case plans. They will continue to work together to ensure ongoing monitoring and adjustment of case plans during the transition period.
- If VAC determines that your medical circumstances are not complex, they may assign a VSA to your release. The VSA will provide enhanced transition support based in part on a transition interview with you and your family.
- VSAs are not automatically assigned to medically releasing veterans who are non-complex unless it is determined that they require enhanced guided support.
While you are still serving, your CFHS Nurse Case Manager remains your pimary Case Manager. Once you release, the VAC Case Manager takes over.
As a CAF member, you may qualify for promotions despite your PCat. Consult CANFORGEN 012/17 – De-linking of Medical Condition from Promotion Criteria. You must still meet all other promotion criteria to receive a substantive promotion. CANFORGENS are available on the Defence Network or via the CAF Mobile App.
Items to consider:
- Contact SISIP FINANCIAL to learn if you are eligible for CAF Long Term Disability (CAF LTD) in case you are medically released.
- Contact your local Base/Wing Personnel Selection Office or Education Office for information about the services available, including career counselling or My Transition Seminar.
Reserve Force Members
If you believe your injury/illness is attributable to your military duties, you have the right to be assessed by the CAF, and there are compensation options available to you.
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Step 3: Determine your next steps for a medical release
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Undergo an Administrative Review for your PCAT
- Review your advisory message and the related documents from the DMCA. This provides you with basic information about the Administrative Review of Medical Employment Limitations (AR/MEL).
- If you are considering waiving disclosure, discuss the potential impact of this move with your chain of command. Disclosure involves DMCA distribution of a package that contains all the information that will be used to decide your file.
- Consider meeting with your CFHS Nurse Case Manager, Personnel Selection Office, and CAF TC before submitting a waiver.
- Consult Administrative Review – Medical Employment Limitations (available only on the Defence Network).
- Review CAF LTD benefits that may apply to you.
- Contact VAC to schedule a transition interview to learn about the programs and services for which you and your family may be entitled.
- Consult the Digital Transition Centre to plan and complete your transition to post-service life. You may book a consultation with a Transition Advisor to guide you through the process.
All medical information is processed by your Medical Officer (MO), not by DMCA. While DMCA will always consider any representation a member wishes to make, any medical documentation or information should first be directed to your MO.
- Review your advisory message and the related documents from the DMCA. This provides you with basic information about the Administrative Review of Medical Employment Limitations (AR/MEL).
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Find out about in-service transition options
- Consult the My Transition Guide to learn about In-Service Transition Options.
- Refer to CANFORGEN 021/23 - Amendment to DAOD 5023-1 Period of retention subject to employment limitations. CANFORGENs are available on the Defence Network or via the CAF Mobile App.
Once you have received your disclosure package from the DMCA, you have 30 calendar days to respond in writing. Your response can include any new information that you believe justifies why you are still employable within the CAF. You may request an extension if you feel you have not been given enough time to prepare your rebuttal. You also have the right to ask for an assisting officer to help prepare your response.
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Undergo a Complexity Assessment
CFHS Nurse Case Managers use a comprehensive assessment process called “Complexity Assessment." This assessment determines the complexity of your overall health care needs by examining your physical, psychological, and social needs as well as relevant health care system factors. Your assessment may lead to your referral for the development of an Integrated Transition Plan (ITP) if your needs are complex.
The CAF Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Serving Members (VRPSM) and the CAF LTD Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP) (offered by SISIP Financial)
- If you have an impeding item 3(a) or 3(b) medical release, and if your commanding officer approves it, the VRPSM allows you to start vocational rehabilitation training for up to six months before your final release date.
- The CAF LTD VRP is one component of the CAF LTD plan that is available to you if:
- you have been medically released,
- you are about to be medically released, or
- you have been assessed as 'Totally Disabled' by the insurer, Manulife, and have been approved for benefits under the CAF LTD plan.
- The primary goal of the CAF LTD VRP is to provide vocational rehabilitation support to assist you in transitioning to civilian employment by enhancing your existing education, skills, training and experience, if required.
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Request a posting transfer to a Transition Group
The CAF TG will support you with both tailored, professional and standardized services as you transition from active duty to post-military life or prepare for RTD. Local CAF TCs will provide you with personal administrative support and programs if you are ill or injured. CAF members do not have to be posted to the CAF TC to receive services.
Depending on your service status, get information about CAF TG from:
- Reserve Force members: CANFORGEN 135/25 and CAFMPI 06/25, Reserve Transition Support (RTS) Policy for Reserve Force Members who are Ill or Injured and CAF MPI 05/25, Attached Posting of Reserve Force Members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) CANFORGEN 166/22 – Posting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members (Mbrs) to the CAF Transition Group (CAF TG). CANFORGENs are available only on the Defence Network or via the CAF Mobile App.
- Regular Force members: consult Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instruction (CF Mil Pers Instr) 04/22 – Posting Regular Force (Reg F) Members to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG).
If you have compassionate status or if you are on a contingency cost move or a compassionate posting, you are eligible to apply for a CAF TC posting.
In all cases, your commanding officer is responsible for initiating a posting request to the CAF TG. However, it is within their discretion to not proceed with the request. Your chain of command may choose not to do so. Refer to CAF Transition Group for more information.
If you are unsatisfied with the decision and you can demonstrate your request was not processed fairly, you may file a grievance. Consult with a Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) Centre agent for support or guidance about the grievance process. The grievance process is time sensitive.
Every situation is unique. Contact our office if exceptional reasons, like time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family, prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels. Where these compelling reasons exist, our office can ensure the appropriate parties are aware of your circumstances and making informed decisions.
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Request to be retained under the Interim Reconstitution Employment Measure (IREM)
In 2024, the CAF announced a new employment measure, Interim Reconstitution Employment Measure (IREM) (CANFORGEN 116/24). Under this measure, if you no longer meet the minimum operational standards of Universality of Service (U of S), you may be able to continue to serve for up to three years. IREM went into effect on 02 April 2025 and you must have the support of your chain of command.
The CAF may consider you for a period of retention if you do not have complex transition requirements. You must:
- Be able to work full time to perform all military duties of your position except those related to your Medical Employment Limitations (MELs).
- Have a specific military position available for your employment as assigned by your career manager.
Once you request a period of retention, DMCA will consider several factors (for instance, personnel shortages in your military occupation or a requirement for a specific skill set that you possess) to determine if they will make you an offer.
Offers are temporary and transitional. If circumstances change, the CAF may terminate your retention at any time.
If you want to end a period of retention, you must request this change by sending a memo to the DMCA through your chain of command.
If you are dissatisfied with a decision taken during your release process, you may submit a grievance to your commanding officer within three months of the decision. Remember that the grievance process is time sensitive. Once you are released from the CAF, you may no longer file a grievance. However, any grievance submitted before your release will still be considered.
How we can help
Every situation is unique. Contact our office if exceptional reasons, like time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns for you or your family, prevent you from addressing your concerns through regular channels. Where these compelling reasons exist, our office can ensure the appropriate parties are aware of your circumstances and making informed decisions.
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