Free Confidential Assessment · Veterans' Compensation Claims
Veterans' Claims After Discharge
Left the Armed Forces?
Suffering from an injury or illness caused by your service?
You may still be entitled to compensation. Speak to a specialist veterans' solicitor today — confidential, no obligation.
No obligation. We won't pressure you to proceed.
No Win, No Fee
Military Injury Claims on a No Win, No Fee Basis
We handle military injury claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement — meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee (capped at 25% of your damages) is deducted from your compensation. You will never be out of pocket.
Judicial College Guidelines
Typical Damages for Military Injuries
The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition) — the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales to value injury claims. They cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only.
In military injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus (Military)
Total deafness and loss of speech
£144,860 – £185,840
Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech
Total deafness (both ears)
£119,890 – £144,860
Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present
Total loss of hearing in one ear
£41,370 – £60,160
Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches
Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
£39,250 – £60,160
Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL
Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone
£19,680 – £39,250
Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level
Mild tinnitus with some NIHL
£16,640 – £19,680
Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss
Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone
Around £15,480
Either condition in isolation at mild level
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL
£9,720 – £16,640
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss
Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL
Up to £9,260
Either condition in isolation at slight level
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years)
Around £6,610
E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years)
Around £12,820
Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total deafness and loss of speech | £144,860 – £185,840 | Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech |
| Total deafness (both ears) | £119,890 – £144,860 | Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present |
| Total loss of hearing in one ear | £41,370 – £60,160 | Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches |
| Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) | £39,250 – £60,160 | Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL |
| Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone | £19,680 – £39,250 | Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level |
| Mild tinnitus with some NIHL | £16,640 – £19,680 | Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss |
| Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone | Around £15,480 | Either condition in isolation at mild level |
| Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL | £9,720 – £16,640 | Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss |
| Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL | Up to £9,260 | Either condition in isolation at slight level |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years) | Around £6,610 | E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years) | Around £12,820 | Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
PTSD & Psychiatric Injury
General Psychiatric Injury — Severe
£72,440 – £152,900
Marked problems with ability to cope with life, education and work; effect on relationships; treatment unlikely to be successful; future vulnerability; very poor prognosis.
General Psychiatric Injury — Moderately Severe
£25,190 – £72,440
Significant problems with coping, relationships and employment but more optimistic prognosis than severe. Includes psychiatric injury following negligent stillbirth/traumatic birth and work-related stress causing permanent or long-standing disability preventing return to comparable employment.
General Psychiatric Injury — Moderate
£7,740 – £25,190
Problems with coping and relationships but marked improvement by trial; good prognosis. Work-related stress cases may fall here if symptoms are not prolonged.
General Psychiatric Injury — Less Severe
£2,040 – £7,740
Award takes into account the length of the period of disability and the extent to which daily activities and sleep were affected.
PTSD — Severe
£79,080 – £133,000
Permanent effects preventing the injured person from working at all or from functioning at anything approaching the pre-trauma level. All aspects of life badly affected. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disturbance, avoidance, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and hyper-arousal.
PTSD — Moderately Severe
£30,580 – £79,080
Better prognosis than severe — some recovery with professional help — but significant disability for the foreseeable future. The majority of awards in this bracket fall between £38,000 and £49,040.
PTSD — Moderate
£10,810 – £30,580
Injured person will have largely recovered; any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling.
PTSD — Less Severe
£5,220 – £10,810
Virtually full recovery made within one to two years; only minor symptoms persist over any longer period.
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Psychiatric Injury — Severe | £72,440 – £152,900 | Marked problems with ability to cope with life, education and work; effect on relationships; treatment unlikely to be successful; future vulnerability; very poor prognosis. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Moderately Severe | £25,190 – £72,440 | Significant problems with coping, relationships and employment but more optimistic prognosis than severe. Includes psychiatric injury following negligent stillbirth/traumatic birth and work-related stress causing permanent or long-standing disability preventing return to comparable employment. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Moderate | £7,740 – £25,190 | Problems with coping and relationships but marked improvement by trial; good prognosis. Work-related stress cases may fall here if symptoms are not prolonged. |
| General Psychiatric Injury — Less Severe | £2,040 – £7,740 | Award takes into account the length of the period of disability and the extent to which daily activities and sleep were affected. |
| PTSD — Severe | £79,080 – £133,000 | Permanent effects preventing the injured person from working at all or from functioning at anything approaching the pre-trauma level. All aspects of life badly affected. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, sleep disturbance, avoidance, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and hyper-arousal. |
| PTSD — Moderately Severe | £30,580 – £79,080 | Better prognosis than severe — some recovery with professional help — but significant disability for the foreseeable future. The majority of awards in this bracket fall between £38,000 and £49,040. |
| PTSD — Moderate | £10,810 – £30,580 | Injured person will have largely recovered; any continuing effects will not be grossly disabling. |
| PTSD — Less Severe | £5,220 – £10,810 | Virtually full recovery made within one to two years; only minor symptoms persist over any longer period. |
These are guidelines only
Compensation figures are general damages guidelines only. Your actual award will depend on the specific facts of your case, the severity of your injury, its impact on your life and employment, and the claim route taken. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments. Special damages (care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation) are calculated separately and can significantly increase the total value of your claim. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a free, no-obligation assessment of your specific circumstances.
Could You Have a Veterans' Compensation Claim?
If you served in the UK Armed Forces and have experienced any of the following, you may be entitled to compensation:
- Hearing loss, tinnitus or deafness caused by noise during service
- PTSD, depression, anxiety or other psychiatric injury from service
- Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) or heat injury
- Musculoskeletal injuries from training, operations or physical activity
- Injuries or illness caused by medical negligence during service
- Conditions that emerged or worsened after leaving the Forces
Two Routes to Veterans' Compensation
Veterans may be able to claim through two separate routes, and in some cases both:
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) — a no-fault scheme for injuries caused by service on or after 6 April 2005, with tariff-based awards
- Civil claim against the MOD — where negligence can be established, civil claims can result in higher compensation than AFCS tariff awards
We will advise on the most appropriate route for your circumstances after a free confidential assessment.
Don't Delay — Time Limits Apply
Veterans' compensation claims are subject to strict time limits. For civil claims against the MOD, the standard limitation period is three years from the date of injury or from when you first knew your injury was caused by your service.
Even if you are unsure whether you have a claim, we strongly recommend contacting us as early as possible to protect your position. A free confidential assessment costs you nothing.
How a Veterans' Claim Works
- 1
Free Confidential Call
We discuss your service history, your condition and how it arose. No obligation.
- 2
We Assess Your Options
We advise on the best claim route — AFCS, civil MOD claim or both — and give you a realistic view of what your veterans' claim may be worth.
- 3
We Handle Everything
We manage the process, gather evidence and keep you informed throughout your veterans' compensation claim.
Veterans' Claims — Common Questions
Can I claim compensation after leaving the Armed Forces?
Yes. Veterans can bring compensation claims for injuries, illnesses and conditions caused by their service even after they have left the Armed Forces. You do not need to be currently serving. Both civil claims against the Ministry of Defence and claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) may be available depending on when your injury occurred and the circumstances.
How long do I have to make a veterans' compensation claim?
Time limits apply to veterans' compensation claims. For civil claims against the MOD, the standard limitation period is three years from the date of injury or from when you first knew (or ought to have known) that your injury was caused by your service. AFCS claims have their own time limits. We strongly recommend seeking advice as early as possible to protect your position.
What conditions can veterans claim compensation for?
Veterans can claim compensation for a wide range of conditions caused by service, including hearing loss and tinnitus (NIHL), PTSD and psychiatric injury, non-freezing cold injury (NFCI), musculoskeletal injuries, training and exercise injuries, exposure to toxic substances, and medical negligence during service. We will advise on the most appropriate claim route for your specific circumstances.
What is the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides no-fault compensation for injuries, illnesses and deaths caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. Awards are made on a tariff basis. The AFCS is separate from civil claims against the MOD, which can result in higher compensation where negligence is established. We can advise on which route is most appropriate for your claim.
Do I need to have a medical diagnosis before making a veterans' claim?
You do not need a formal diagnosis before contacting us. We can advise you on the basis of your symptoms and service history. A medical assessment will typically be required as part of the claims process, and we can guide you through this. Contact us for a free confidential assessment.
Related Military Claims Pages
Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Over 10 years' specialist experience in complex military claims, personal injury, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. Multiple six-figure settlements achieved.
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