Merely Labelling Hypertension as a ‘Lifestyle Disorder’ Not Sufficient to Deny Disability Pension: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has ruled that simply categorising hypertension as a “lifestyle disorder” is not enough to deny disability pension to Air Force personnel.

The Court held that medical opinions rejecting such claims must be supported by cogent, individual-specific reasons. Emphasising that disability pension is a beneficial provision, the Bench observed that the burden lies on the employer to establish that the disease was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service.

In the absence of clear reasoning by the Medical Board, denial of pension cannot be sustained.

Accordingly, the Court upheld the Armed Forces Tribunal’s order granting disability pension to the retired Air Force personnel.

[UOI v. 627281 Ex MWO (HFO) Tejpal Singh]