The Delhi High Court recently made an important ruling: armed forces members cannot be denied a disability pension just because their illness is labeled a “lifestyle disorder” or if it developed during a peaceful posting. The court recognized that even non-combat roles come with significant stress that can lead to serious health issues.
A bench, including Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, overturned a previous decision by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) that had rejected a retired Indian Air Force officer’s claim. This officer was suffering from primary hypertension and coronary artery disease.
The court asserted that it doesn’t matter whether health issues arise from active duty or while stationed in a peaceful area. What’s crucial is how the job impacts an individual’s health. Military life involves strict routines, long hours, frequent relocations, and often being away from family, which can all contribute to both physical and mental stress.
In its decision, the bench criticized the Release Medical Board’s findings. They pointed out that simply labeling an illness as a lifestyle disorder without specifying any actual lifestyle factors isn’t a strong enough reason to deny a pension. Moreover, the board acknowledged that the officer didn’t act irresponsibly or negligently.
Arguments about lifestyle choices, like obesity, smoking, or alcohol consumption, were dismissed. The court noted that the medical findings did not connect these habits to the officer’s condition. It highlighted that being overweight alone does not indicate that hypertension or heart disease are self-induced. The AFT was critiqued for considering lifestyle factors without any medical backing.
The court also found the rationale linking the officer’s heart disease to his recent duties to be flawed.
This officer had dedicated over four decades to the Indian Air Force and was in good health when he began his service. He first experienced hypertension in 1999, later undergoing open-heart surgery in 2016 for severe coronary artery disease. Although assessed with a 50% disability for life, his pension claim was initially denied, prompting him to appeal to the High Court.
In the end, the court sided with him, ordering the authorities to grant him a 50% disability pension for life and to pay his arrears from his discharge date. They directed that the payment be processed within eight weeks, or else interest at 12% per year would be applied.
This ruling underscores the need for a better understanding of how military service can impact health, regardless of the nature of a posting. It shines a spotlight on the realities faced by armed forces personnel, validating their struggles and ensuring they receive the support they deserve.
For more information, you can refer to the Ministry of Defence for additional insights on disability benefits for armed forces members.
