Direct answer
Pension following medical discharge for mental illness depends on the applicable eligibility and service-connection requirements. The nature of the illness is not a reason to discount the claim; reliable diagnosis and functional assessment are essential.
Legal position and important distinctions
PTSD, depression and other psychiatric conditions are not interchangeable diagnoses. Examine specialist findings, onset, any actual deployment-related event and the previous history. Severity does not by itself establish service attribution; read the board’s reasoning on both issues. Protect medical confidentiality and seek appropriate directions where sensitive material need not be exposed unnecessarily in public filings.
Separate three decisions
Diagnosis, the assessed impairment percentage and legal entitlement to pension are different enquiries. Identify which board or authority decides each question. A supporting medical certificate is not final pension sanction. Likewise, a low medical category does not necessarily establish permanent incapacity or inability to undertake civil employment.
Prepare an evidence-based appeal
Date enrolment, first diagnosis, treatment, boards, discharge and rejection. Link every disputed finding to a specific annexure and page. Where ER 2023 applies, examine the six-month first and second pension-appeal provisions from the relevant rejection or sanction letter. Administrative time-bar provisions and judicial condonation before the AFT are distinct. An RTI request or reminder should not cause the original deadline to be missed.
Choose the correct relief
Depending on the defect, seek recognition of entitlement, correct classification, fresh medical consideration, a corrigendum PPO or calculation correction. Reassessment and payment sanction are not necessarily the same decision. Explain the arrears period and interest basis separately.
Practical steps
- Organise the psychiatrist’s diagnosis and treatment record.
- Compare the board findings with functional limitations and service history.
- Address medical reasoning, entitlement and any necessary confidentiality relief in the appeal.
Documents to collect
- Specialist reports and treatment history
- Relevant incident or duty records
- Medical board and discharge order
Hypothetical illustration
Symptoms and treatment follow a documented operational event. The claim needs the incident evidence, timeline and specialist findings, rather than the PTSD label alone.
Avoid this mistake
Treatment and a legal claim can proceed together; do not delay necessary clinical care for litigation.
Official sources
- Entitlement Rules and Guide to Medical Officers, 2023 — entitlement, assessment, boards and appeals
- DESW — types of defence pension; invalid-pension policy clarification
- Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 — sections 2, 3(o), 14–15, 19, 21–24, 29–32
Legal disclaimer
This article provides general legal information and the author’s general analysis, not individual legal advice. Reading it does not create an advocate–client relationship or guarantee an outcome. Rules, policies and judgments can change. Before acting, obtain qualified advice on your documents, applicable dates, jurisdiction and time limits.
Source check: 1 November 2026.