The insurance company was due to pay out on total disability, I think this means unable to work at all whether it be in the claimants original occupation or something else they can do with help or training. It does look like the soldier had little or no bowel or bladder control, but then after he had the surgery he then got some control back
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-13763414 (quoted in the Guardian article.
Mr Douglas said: "It has given me back my independence and my freedom."
But assessors from the department have stopped a £70 monthly allowance to Douglas's wife, Maria, for help with his "bathing and toileting difficulties" after in effect accusing him, he says, of "faking" his injuries. The DWP said he had failed to inform them of a "change in circumstances", essentially that his health had improved.
We have to be careful when we read stuff like this because the soldier is using words like faking it and not the DWP. I know being investigated by the police, the insurance company and the DWP does show that they question or dont believe new circumstances are sufficient for his claim. We dont know enough information ourselves to work that one out.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/24/disabled-grenade-soldier-benefitsDespite his failed appeal, Douglas continued to pursue his case with Scottish Widows. It then put him under surveillance, apparently suspicious after learning he had set up the charity and was working as an administrator at a local primary care trust.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-13763414Mr Douglas said since the operation he had regained his dignity and it had made "immeasurable changes" to his life.
"I have got most of my life back now. I don't have to think too hard about what I'm going to do and where I'm going to do it," he said.
"Even my children can see that Daddy is getting better. It's having an impact on everybody's life.".
The BBC article was written on 14 June 2011 and did change my initial view of things.
To me it sounds like the change in circumstances and also the fact the soldier was pursuing his case with Scottish Widows after a failed appeal, caused his new circumstances to be investigated.
I am not saying the system is fair - we know it is not, but it does say change in circumstances must be reported and if you are going to be quoted in a BBC article saying your life is much better after treatment of a condition you have to expected to have a ? over your claim.
Whether or not a person should be expected to work or considered not to be totally disabled when they have impaired (not complete loss) of bowel and bladder function is more a topic for a new thread.
This is just my take on things.