Craig, 49, has treatment-resistant recurrent depression and anxiety disorder, as well as autism. These conditions, along with osteoarthritis in his knee and lower back pain, saw him medically discharged from the RAF after a 24-year career in 2022.
“When I left the RAF, my hopes for the future were pretty bleak to be honest. I loved being part of the RAF and the idea of serving a greater purpose gave me great satisfaction,” said Craig.
As well as dealing with mental and physical ill-health and going through a divorce, Craig had the added stress of preparing for a war pensions assessment appeal tribunal where he was challenging the percentage of his pension award.
“I disagreed with the level of disablement that I was given. My conditions mean that my employment options are limited, and I was really worried about the future and how I would support myself.”
Craig was put in touch with Sarah Gale, a War Pensions Manager in the RAF Association’s welfare team. She agreed to represent him at the tribunal. Together, they prepared for the tribunal and Sarah supported Craig through the complicated process.
“Sarah was amazing. She was very thorough and professional. If she had not been there to guide and support me, the whole experience of the tribunal would have been much more difficult and stressful.”
With the support of Sarah and the rest of the team, Craig attended his tribunal where his level of disablement was increased to 50%, meaning he was able to secure a substantial increase to his war pension.
With this increase, Craig has been able to secure a new house in his hometown of Tamworth in Staffordshire, where he can be closer to his two daughters and elderly father. He can also look to the future with hope and optimism.
“Without the help I received from the Association, I don’t think I would have been able to accurately express my limitations and how my mental health effects my daily living at the tribunal. I may not have got the increase that I subsequently got,” said Craig.
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