For many soldiers and officers, disability is not just a medical issue — it affects their career, dignity, financial security, and family life. Every year, thousands of serving and retired defence personnel face rejection or reduction of their disability pension by medical boards.
When legitimate claims are denied, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Bombay / Mumbai Bench becomes the most powerful forum for justice.
This complete legal guide by Advocate Malini Jain, an experienced AFT and service law advocate, explains everything about disability pension, common reasons for rejection, how to file a case in AFT Bombay, and how legal action can restore pension with arrears and interest.
#What Is Disability Pension in Defence Services?
Disability pension is granted to defence personnel who suffer physical or mental disability attributable to or aggravated by military service. It usually includes:
Service Element – based on rank & years of service
Disability Element – based on percentage of disability
A minimum of 20% disability is required to qualify for disability pension.
#Common Reasons Why Disability Pension Is Rejected
Many genuine claims get rejected due to technical or procedural reasons such as:
Medical board wrongly stating disability as “not attributable to service”
Disability assessed below 20%
Injury recorded as a “lifestyle disease”
Incomplete medical documentation
Faulty medical board procedures
Improper recording of service-related injury
These rejections are often legally incorrect and can be successfully challenged before AFT Bombay.
#Why AFT Bombay Is the Right Forum for Disability Pension Cases
The AFT Mumbai Bench regularly hears and decides disability pension matters of:
Army
Navy
Air Force
The Tribunal has the power to:
Set aside faulty medical board decisions
Declare disability as service-related
Grant full disability pension
Order arrears with interest
Restore medical category
Grant family pension to widows
AFT Bombay has passed hundreds of pro-soldier judgments in disability matters.
#Who Can File a Disability Pension Case in AFT Bombay
Serving defence personnel
Retired personnel
Medical category low officers
Invalided out soldiers
Widows and dependents
Ex-servicemen denied disability benefits
#Step-by-Step Process to File Disability Pension Case in AFT Bombay
#Step 1 – Legal Review of Documents
All medical board proceedings, service records, injury reports, and pension orders are legally examined.
#Step 2 – Drafting of Original Application (OA)
A detailed disability pension petition is drafted stating:
Nature of disability
How it is service-connected
Errors by medical board
Relief claimed
#Step 3 – Filing Before AFT Bombay
The case is filed before the AFT Mumbai Bench with supporting documents.
#Step 4 – Government Reply & Final Hearing
The defence authorities file their reply. Final legal arguments are heard.
#Step 5 – Final Judgment
The Tribunal may order:
Grant of disability pension
Payment of arrears
Interest on delayed payments
Restoration of medical category
Family pension for dependents
#Time Limit for Filing Disability Pension Case
Disability pension cases are treated as a continuous cause of action.
Even if several years have passed, the case can still be filed with proper legal grounds.
#What Percentage of Disability Is Required?
Minimum 20% disability is required for pension
Disability can be physical or mental
Even aggravated conditions are legally valid for pension
AFT Bombay has repeatedly held that benefit of doubt must go in favour of the soldier.
#Why You Need a Specialized AFT Lawyer for Disability Pension
Disability pension cases involve:
Medical terminology
Military service rules
Injury-service linkage
Tribunal litigation procedure
Interpretation of medical board findings
A general lawyer cannot handle these technical aspects effectively. A specialized AFT advocate in Mumbai significantly increases success chances.
#How Advocate Malini Jain Helps in Disability Pension Cases
Advocate Malini Jain provides complete legal assistance for:
Disability pension rejection cases
Medical board challenge cases
Invalid pension conversion
Family pension for widows
Disability arrears recovery
AFT Bombay litigation
Supreme Court appeals from AFT orders
Her approach is:
Professional, ethical, disciplined, and strongly defence-personnel focused.
#Why Choose Advocate Malini Jain for AFT Bombay Disability Pension Cases
Strong experience in AFT Mumbai matters
Deep understanding of military medical law
Successful handling of pension recovery cases
Transparent legal guidance
Compassionate handling of defence families
Result-oriented representation
#Final Words
Disability pension is not charity — it is a legal right earned through service and sacrifice. Thousands of veterans and widows have successfully recovered their disability pension through AFT Bombay after wrongful rejection by authorities.
If your disability pension has been:
Rejected
Reduced
Stopped
Incorrectly assessed
Timely legal action before AFT Mumbai can restore your pension, arrears, and dignity.
With her strong tribunal experience and commitment to defence justice, Advocate Malini Jain provides powerful legal support for disability pension cases before AFT Bombay.
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