The Supreme Court recently declined to grant disability pension benefits to a former Army personnel, ruling that the brain stroke suffered by him could not be linked to his military service or to any service-related conditions. Instead, the court found that the illness was connected to his long-standing habit of smoking approximately ten bidis daily, which played a significant role in the development of his medical condition.
A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice P.B. Varale dismissed the appeal and refused to interfere with the earlier decision of the Armed Forces Tribunal, which had rejected the former soldier’s claim seeking disability pension. The apex court upheld the tribunal’s findings after examining the available medical evidence and applicable pension regulations governing disability benefits for armed forces personnel.
While affirming the tribunal’s order, the Supreme Court observed that reliance had rightly been placed on the Pension Regulations for the Army as well as the Guide to Medical Officers. These provisions clearly state that compensation cannot be granted in cases where disability or death results from intemperate or excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, since such habits fall within the personal control and responsibility of the individual concerned.
The court also examined the medical documentation and the findings of the Medical Board, which had assessed the appellant’s condition. According to the board’s opinion, the disease diagnosed as “Stroke Ischemic RT MCA Territory” could have developed as a consequence of prolonged smoking. The Medical Board had categorically concluded that the ailment was neither attributable to military service nor aggravated by any service-related factors or conditions encountered during the appellant’s tenure in the Army.
Explaining the medical context, the bench noted that an ischemic stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked due to a clot or fatty deposits, resulting in restricted oxygen flow and reduced circulation to brain tissue. This interruption in blood supply can cause significant and sometimes permanent neurological damage. The court further referred to established medical literature identifying major risk factors associated with such strokes, including hypertension, smoking, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, and atrial fibrillation.
Importantly, the bench highlighted that the medical reports explicitly recorded the appellant’s consistent habit of smoking ten bidis every day. Taking this factor into account, the court concluded that disability compensation could not be justified in circumstances where the illness stemmed from a lifestyle habit rather than from the nature or demands of military service.
In its observations, the court stated that a careful review of both the initial medical report and the Medical Board’s opinion left no room for doubt that the stroke was unrelated to service conditions. The judges emphasised that both reports clearly documented the appellant’s smoking habit, reinforcing the conclusion that the disease was not caused or worsened by military duty. Consequently, the Supreme Court upheld the denial of disability pension and dismissed the plea.
