The Ministry of Defence has been urged to drop an �outrageous� legal bid to slash compensation for soldiers who suffered complications after treatment for battlefield injuries.

The Ministry of Defence has been urged to drop an "outrageous" legal bid to slash compensation for soldiers who suffered complications after treatment for battlefield injuries.

A hearing is scheduled at the Court of Appeal in London tomorrow, under the name of Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, in what is seen as a test case for injured troops whose treatment leads to complications.

The case comes as a British soldier became the 20th to die in Afghanistan this month. Since the start of operations in 2001, 189 British service personnel have been killed.

This week's test case involves two soldiers who received initial compensation for injuries and then follow-up awards because of further difficulties arising from the initial treatment.

Dragoon Anthony Duncan received £9250 after being shot in the thigh in Iraq, but calcification of the tissue left him in constant pain and unable to walk without crutches, leading to a further lump sum of £46,000 and a weekly income for life.

Royal Marine Matthew McWilliams received £8250 for breaking his leg during a training exercise but was awarded a further £28,750 plus a weekly income following damage to his knee during surgery. The MoD appealed these secondary awards last year, saying they were liable only for the initial injuries, but three judges dismissed their arguments as "absurd". It is this ruling that is now being contested. The MoD said a High Court appeal was in process and it was unable to comment on the cases, but stressed: "We are committed through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to paying appropriate compensation to wounded service personnel."

SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson said: "It is outrageous that when our servicemen and women are risking their lives engaged in fierce fighting in Afghanistan, sustaining significant casualties in the process, the MoD are attempting to slash the compensation levels awarded to those wounded in battle.

"Soldiers, sailors and airmen have already volunteered to do a difficult, dangerous and stressful job often in hostile territory thousands of miles from home. To be met with such a response from the MoD when seeking compensation for wounds received in service is unacceptable.

"The MoD should think again about how their action will be viewed by the service community in the present circumstances."

Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: "It is absolutely outrageous that the government should be contemplating such a thing. The compensation awarded to military personnel already falls far short of awards in civilian cases.

"It's been a battle to get compensation to its current modest level. Any attempt at backsliding would be a total disgrace and undermine the morale of brave troops sent into danger on our behalf."

Last week former Prime Minister Sir John Major questioned whether troops were being adequately compensated when injured by Taliban bombs. He said the current system "does not adequately address lifelong disability and, particularly, disabling mental conditions".