#Armed Forces Pension

The Kerala High Court ruled that the defence department cannot deny disability pension merely because a medical condition originated in a peace station; it must prove the condition is not attributable to or aggravated by military service, especially when the claim is filed within 15 years of discharge. This shifts the legal burden decisively onto the state, empowering veterans with delayed-onset service-related disabilities to seek justice without needing to prove causation themselves.

The Supreme Court ruled that Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel are entitled to condonation of up to one year's shortfall in qualifying service for a second pension, ensuring parity with other armed forces under the Pension Regulations. This decision reinforces judicial consistency and mandates the Union of India to comply with the statutory entitlement, impacting thousands of DSC retirees.

The Madras High Court ruled that disability pension under the 2008 Rules cannot be granted based on presumptions of service stress or duration alone. The court emphasized that medical evidence linking the disability to military service is mandatory, setting a precedent for armed forces personnel seeking disability benefits. This decision reinforces the need for rigorous medical causation proof, impacting veterans' pension claims.

Kerala High Court clarifies that Rule 9 of the 1982 Entitlement Rules creates a presumption of service-related disability for medical discharge; burden shifts to state to disprove.