Royal Marine who lost limb in Afghanistan has disability benefit stopped in Atos scandal

ROYAL MARINE Aaron Moon is going to a tribunal to fight for his benefits after Atos claimed in a capability assessment that he was just as ‘able’ with his false leg.

Royal Marine Aaron lost his leg in an Afghanistan road blast

By James Moncur 28 Sep 2012 07:42

A SCOTS-BASED Royal Marine who lost a leg in Afghanistan underwent a bizarre health assessment – then was told he didn’t qualify for disability benefits.

Aaron Moon suffered fractures to his shoulder, spine, pelvis, hip, heel and legs, a ruptured spleen, dislocated knees and a shattered lower leg which was amputated, after a roadside blast.

But he was told after a work capability assessment by benefits testing firm Atos his false leg was just as “able” as a real one, and his £100–a–week disability living allowance was being stopped.

Now 25-year-old Aaron is going to a tribunal to try to win back his benefits.

Yesterday he relived the extraordinary, humiliating test he was made to endure by a nurse working for Atos.

Aaron, from Bolton, said: “He read out my injuries, including the amputation, before examining me.

“He asked me to point down my left foot, then my right foot, and I said, ‘I haven’t got a right foot’ and he said, ‘Oh, right’.

“He said, ‘Can you move your toes?’ I said, ‘I’ve no leg.’

“I took it off to show him and he looked surprised.

“I was shocked. He’d read out my notes but didn’t seem to know my injuries.”

Armoured Support Group specialist Aaron – a promising rugby player – was attached to Arbroath-based 45 Commando when a bomb wrecked his Viking armoured vehicle in Lashkar Gar in 2009.

He said: “I’ve fought for my country and when I got back, the Government turned their back on me.”

A letter he was sent explained the Department for Work and Pensions had “surmised he could walk 200 metres pain–free”.

A DWP spokesman said they were changing the system so injured veterans would not have to undergo continual assessments.

She said: “Cases like this show exactly why we need to reform the system.

“With millions of pounds in underpayments and overpayments, we agree people are not always getting the right support.”

Are you a former serviceman or woman who has had their benefits cut? Ring our newsdesk on 0141 309 3251.

The Scottish Daily Record

2 thoughts on “Royal Marine who lost limb in Afghanistan has disability benefit stopped in Atos scandal

  1. jeffery davies says:

    another one fraudulently having his benefits taking away by atos when will they sack this firm and fine them for the abuse they give out for this goverment jeff3

  2. Humanity2012 says:

    This is a Crime against Humanity Pure and Simple

    It is the MPS who are the Benefit Scroungers with their Huge Salaries and
    Expenses

    Scrap the System Not the Welfare of the Poor and Vulnerable

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