Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including injuries sustained after a service member has left the armed forces, if that injury is directly related to one sustained whilst in service, in the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides compensation for any injury, illness, or death which is caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. Where an injury is partly caused, or made worse, by service, compensation is payable if, on the balance of probabilities, service is the predominant cause of the injury or of the worsening of the injury.

In circumstances where an injury unexpectedly deteriorates, consequential problems develop beyond those anticipated, or a further injury develops, the award given may no longer be appropriate and the recipient can request a review. The review can result in the award being maintained or increased, but not its reduction or removal.