ALEXANDRE DMITRIENKO v THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
ALEXANDRE DMITRIENKO
Law Firm / Organization
Unrepresented
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Law Firm / Organization
Department of Justice Canada
Lawyer(s)

Tengteng Gai

Background:

  • Alexandre Dmitrienko, a 60-year-old RCMP officer, sustained a knee injury in 2016, leading to complications, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • Dmitrienko claimed ongoing cardiorespiratory issues were related to PE, termed "Post-PE Syndrome," a controversial medical term requiring more study.
  • He sought disability benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), which recognized some conditions but not his cardiorespiratory impairment as related to PE.

Key Points:

  1. Judicial Review Request:

    • Dmitrienko requested judicial review of the VRAB Reconsideration Panel's decision, which denied his application for reconsideration??.
  2. Claims and Assessments:

    • VAC initially recognized venous thromboembolism and internal derangement of the knee, granting a 15% assessment.
    • The VRAB Review Panel assessed his PE at "nil" and maintained a 15% assessment for venous thromboembolism??.
    • Dmitrienko argued the Appeal Panel wrongly framed the issue, failing to link his cardiorespiratory symptoms to PE??.
  3. Reconsideration Panel Decision:

    • The Reconsideration Panel found no new evidence or error of fact or law to reopen the Appeal Panel's decision??.
  4. Applicant's Arguments:

    • Dmitrienko raised issues about procedural fairness, errors in fact and law, refusal to exercise jurisdiction, and failure to consider all evidence??.
  5. Court's Findings:

    • The Court found the Reconsideration Panel's decision reasonable and without breach of procedural fairness.
    • It noted the Panel's role was limited to assessing new evidence, errors of fact, and law, and did not need to refer to every piece of evidence??????.
    • The Court recognized the Applicant's severe symptoms but concluded the lack of medical evidence linking these to an entitled condition (PE)??.

Outcome:

  • Successful Party: Attorney General of Canada.
  • The Court dismissed Dmitrienko's application for judicial review, upholding the Reconsideration Panel's decision.
Federal Court
T-1474-23
Administrative law
Respondent
17 July 2023