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MEDICAL DISCHARGE INFORMATION – DBS & VETERANS UK

Some useful information regarding Medical Discharges was recently published by the Defence Business Services and Veterans UK in the AFPS Quarterly Digest. We feel that this may be of great use to some of our members or website visitors, so we are relaying some of the key information here. All information below is accredited to the DBS and Veterans UK.

Your pension scheme provides ill-health benefits to approximately 1,4000 members who are medically discharged every year.

If you have service in the AFPS75 Scheme and you are medically discharged, you will receive a Service Invaliding Pension (SIP) from discharge in respect of that service.

If discharging with service in the AFPS05 or AFPS15 Schemes, Veterans UK will assess your capacity for full-time employment in any achievable civilian role, as well as whether your condition is likely to improve before your normal pension age, and will award you a ‘Tier Award’.

Veterans UK will award you a Lump Sum if you have to leave the service due to ill-health but you are not assessed as being significantly impaired from achieving full time civilian work until pension age. Around 85% of service personnel who medically discharge receive an ill-health Lump Sum. This lump sum is commonly referred to as a ‘Tier 1 Lump Sum’.

If you are assessed as being significantly impaired from achieving full-time civilian work until pension age, Veterans UK will award an ill-health pension from discharge. Around 10% of service personnel who medically discharge receive and ill-health pension. This pension is commonly referred to as a ‘Tier 2 Pension’.

If you are assessed as being incapable of any full-time civilian employment until pension age, Veterans UK will award an enhanced ill-health pension from discharge. Around 5% of service personnel who medically discharge receive an enhanced ill-health pension. This pension is commonly referred to as a ‘Tier 3 Pension’.

If you disagree with the decision of Veterans UK, there is a formal Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) and if a members condition deteriorates or does not improve as expected after discharge, Veterans UK will review its decision on request until five years after the discharge.

For full details of the provisions of your scheme, please read the relevant ‘Your Scheme Explained’ booklets which can be found at:
www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans

King Edward VII’s Hospital: The Centre for Veterans’ Health – The Pain Management Programme

The Pain Management Programme (PMP) is an evidence-based programme using tried and tested pain management strategies that have been adapted to meet the specific needs of the veteran population.

Rated twice as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the overall aims of a PMP are to provide practical strategies to help veterans improve the quality of their lives alongside their pain. Strategies include: helping veterans gain a greater understanding of pain, managing physical activity and mood, and reviewing pain-related medications in order to improve confidence in the day-to-day management of their pain. Free to veterans!

https://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/the-charity/veterans-pain-management-programme