In Brief
A retired sepoy with nine years of service was discharged in 1998 due to Schizophrenia and denied disability pension. The Medical Board found the disease was constitutional and unrelated to military service but provided no reasoned justification. The Supreme Court allowed his appeal, holding that discharge orders and pension denials based on medical opinions lacking mandatory recorded reasons are invalid and arbitrary. The Court emphasized that Medical Boards must give detailed grounds for conclusions, not bare conclusions. Given Schizophrenia's cognitive impact, a liberal approach applies to servicemen's claims. The Court set aside the denial and granted disability pension with three years' arrears.
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