AFCS Claim Injuries Must Be Caused By Service - Get Ready for a Reality Check!
The more clients we speak to about the AFCS claims process, the more we are determined to spread the word that Veterans UK are not there to make it easy for you to claim.
We see example after example of clients making AFCS applications for injuries where they would bet their life savings that Veterans UK would accept them as being ‘Caused by Service’.
If only that were true!
Here are just a few examples of what these servicemen and women would call ‘absolute certainties’ of cases that would sail through the system with no dramas because they were caused by service.
Case No 1
An RAF Cpl had been lifting heavy equipment which involved repeated lifting and twisting in the confined aircraft cargo hold for 16 years. He developed pain in his spine which gradually deteriorated but Veterans UK decided that because there was no evidence of prolonged heavy loading or acute trauma his condition was assessed as being degenerative and part of the ageing process. His AFCS application was declined.
Case No 2
An Army private had served in Afghanistan and part of his duties included offloading deceased and severely injured soldiers from the helicopters. He developed PTSD and later provided a full Medical Report from a Consultant Psychiatrist confirming his diagnosis. Veterans UK did not accept that he had been exposed to significant psychological trauma because he was unable to provide satisfactory proof that he had been working in the hospital at Camp Bastion. His AFCS application was declined.
Case No 3
An Army L/Cpl had been taking part in an authorised boxing match when he sustained a dislocation to his right shoulder. He had also suffered a dislocation to the same shoulder during an authorised rugby match for his Regiment. Veterans UK looked through his medical records and decided that because he had suffered a dislocation to the same shoulder before he joined the military he had a pre-existing condition and therefore his AFCS application was declined.
Case No 4
An Army S/Sgt claimed for hearing loss over a long career where she had been exposed to loud noises during various deployments and range firing. She argued that she had perfect hearing when she joined the military and had not been issued with adequate hearing protection during her military service. Veterans UK decided that there was no history of acoustic trauma and that she would have been issued with adequate hearing protection even though they produced no evidence that she had. Her AFCS application was declined.
Case No 5
Army Sgt sustained a corneal ulcer to his right eye when on exercise due to exposure to sand/grit during a prolonged dust storm. This soldier wore contact lenses and grit had got under the lens causing an abrasion which developed into an ulcer. Veterans UK decided that the foreign body beneath the contact lens was simply a complication of wearing contact lenses and could occur under any circumstances. Her AFCS application was declined.
Case No 6
An Army Cpl was struck in the face by a piece of equipment, which was illegal and not service issue, which was being thrown around by a fellow soldier whilst on exercise. The item thrown caused multiple fractures to his face and left him with life-changing injuries. He claimed for his injuries under the AFCS but Veterans UK decided that his injuries were not caused by his service because at the time he was struck in the face he was not doing something that was directly connected to the exercise or in the course of his job as a vehicle technician. His AFCS application was declined.
The issue of ‘Caused by Service’
All of these servicemen and women were absolutely astounded at the decisions made by Veterans UK and we can see why.
If you have any pre-existing injury, condition, or illness that happened before you joined the military then be prepared for disappointment if you submit an application for the same type of injury during service.
The only certainty in making a claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme is that there is no certainty. Veterans UK makes arguably random, subjective decisions which often defy logic and before you submit an application for any type of injury, illness, or condition you should absolutely seek professional advice. How the application is presented, what evidence is attached in support of the application, and exactly what is claimed for are crucial.
If you are submitting an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or War Pension Scheme claim our advice is take nothing for granted, assume nothing, expect the worst, and hope for the best. More than 50% of all AFCS applications are declined, so you have been warned!