Ministry of Defence denies compensation for 1,000 war veterans amid PTSD epidemic
Data shows the number of claims rejected by the Ministry of Defence has increased tenfold since 2015. One ex-corporal said the figures showed defence chiefs are failing to get a grip
More than 1,000 war veterans have been turned down for mental health compensation in the past five years.
Data shows the number of claims rejected by the Ministry of Defence has increased tenfold since 2015.
Then the MoD made payments to some 555 with mental heath issues – and just 30 applications were rejected.
By last year, payouts were made to 425 but rejected claims soared to 295. The figures come amid concerns over an epidemic of post-traumatic stress.
One ex-corporal said the figures showed defence chiefs are failing to get a grip.
Jason Wilkes, who served in Iraq with the Royal Engineers, fought for years before he got a payout.
Jason, 48, who survived a suicide bomber in 2006, told us: “Anyone medically discharged with a mental health disorder will have to fight for compensation and help.
“There is a major difference in the way the Ministry of Defence treats a mental health injury compared with a physical injury.
“It took me six years before I was diagnosed with PTSD. I then had to appear before 10 separate military tribunals.”
We are campaigning for a big overhaul of the way the MoD treats mental health.
The MoD can reject claims on the grounds of fraud, or that a condition was not caused by service.
It said: “We encourage anyone struggling to come forward and access the wide range of support available. We carefully consider all claims for mental disorders.”
Read More
