A Scots veteran branded 'lazy' and 'drunk' was unknowingly suffering from 'blown out' eardrums after an explosion 22 years ago.
Brian Hunter, 47, joined the army in 1997 and was caught up in a huge blast during a training session in spring 1999.
An MK5 explosive was allegedly hurled close to where the Black Watch soldier was standing at his camp in Kent.
Brian, from Markinch, Fife, said he was hit by the blast, thrown to the ground and that he completely blacked out.
He claims that at the time, army staff who assessed him said he was 'fine' and 'nothing was wrong'.
But after two decades of questioning head and ear aches, ringing in his ears, dizziness, occasional collapsing and crippling PTSD, Brian secured an audiologist's CT scan in August last year.
Stunned medics confirmed his eardrums had been 'blown out' and destroyed and said it was most likely to be linked to the explosion.
Brian, who left the army in 2000, wants other service men and women to be vigilant and 'trust their instinct' when they know something isn't quite right.
Speaking out for the first time, he told the Record: "I've been going through this ordeal for around 20 years
"I've been scarred mentally, I've even tried to take my own life a few times, but what's led me to feeling this way is what happened to me physically.
"Since the explosion I've had trouble hearing, making me feel almost invisible. I've had headaches and felt like someone was knifing my ears.
"Sometimes I can barely hear the TV due to ringing in my ears. Over the years, people have called me lazy or thought I was drunk when I would feel dizzy or my hearing was bad, sometimes I would even collapse.
"I don't have much of a life because of it and the life I do have is often unbearable."
Holding back tears, Brian added: "After the explosion I remember coming round and a sergeant telling me nothing was wrong, but I knew deep down something was.
"After serving in Northern Ireland for a while, dealing with it all was too much and I left in 2000."
For 20 years, Brian fought with his physical and mental demons, without much explanation as to what had happened to him.
Brian said: "I was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety in 2003, but doctors thought my physical symptoms were due to stress.
"But the ringing in my ears got too much last year and I booked an appointment with audiology."
Staff at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy carried out a CT scan in August 2021.
"The audiologists couldn't believe what they saw," he said.
"The said they could see instantly that my eardrums had been blown out and destroyed and that it was likely down to that explosion.
"I have been tortured mentally for years, the whole time not knowing my earsdrums were blown out.
"To think this happened during a training session too is not right.
"More care should have been taken, with less powerful explosives, during re-enactments or any other army training. "
A spokesperson from NHS Fife said: "Unfortunately we are able to comment on matters relating to individual patients for reasons of confidentiality."
An MOD Spokesperson told the Record: “We do not disclose personal case details but Veterans UK is always available to discuss any applications for support with individuals like Mr Hunter.
“We are committed to the health and wellbeing of all our serving and former personnel, and we work with the NHS to ensure their access to timely and effective diagnosis and treatment.
“Our dedicated Veterans Welfare Service is also available to support and advise veterans, their families and dependents. The scheme is offered in recognition of our veterans’ dedication and service to our country."
You can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 116 123 or by visiting their website.
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