Former British servicemen and women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder have lost a £100 million lawsuit against the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The action involved about 2,000 potential claimants.
The High Court in London gave the ruling in a group action, contested by the MoD, which could have resulted in a total damages payout in excess of £100 million.
At the start of the lengthy trial which began last March, the ministry was accused of failing to adequately prepare service personnel for their inevitable exposure to the "horrors of war".
The action involved nearly 2,000 potential claimants who had registered an interest, but the hearing centred on 15 "lead" cases which had been prepared for the trial in order to illustrate the central issues of the case.
The action was brought on behalf of surviving veterans of the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Gulf War, who say they suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PA