(2) how many (a) servicemen and (b) reserve servicemen returned injured during active duty in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan and were registered disabled in each year since 2003.
Comprehensive data regarding injuries and disabilities are not held centrally, and could only be established at disproportionate cost by examining the personal medical file of every current and former Service man and woman, which would additionally require the permission of all individuals.
However, Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) do compile data on medical discharges, based on Medical Board recommendations. The table below presents a tri-Service total number of medical discharges among UK regular Service Personnel in 2003 and 2004 for all eye-related disorders and injuries suffered worldwide. Data for 2005 and 2006 are still being validated and are not ready for release.
Primary cause of medical discharge Disorders of the eye and adnexa Injury of the eye orbit 2003 15 <5 2004 25 <5
Of which: secondary to a head injury Of which: secondary to other conditions 2003 <5 <5 2004 <5 <5 1 Excludes untrained naval service ratings. Notes: 1. In accordance with DASA policy, figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Figures below 5 are marked as <5 in order to preserve personal confidentiality.
Medical discharges can take place some time after the injury or disease is diagnosed. DASA are currently carrying out a 10-year validation exercise on all medical discharge information held, and updating relevant records. The data used for this answer are taken from a historical dataset for 1995-2004, and the figures presented therefore may be subject to change.