1. Use the rules applicable to the case
DESW’s pension-regulations page now lists the Entitlement Rules for Casualty Pensionary Awards to Armed Forces Personnel, 2023 and the Guide to Medical Officers 2023. Older cases may be governed by earlier rules/orders. Do not apply a new rule retrospectively without checking its applicability.
2. Disability pension and impairment relief are not identical case labels
DESW’s official FAQ on Entitlement Rules 2023 states that personnel invalided or deemed invalided from service on medical grounds with a disability held attributable to or aggravated by military service may be eligible for Disability Pension. It also explains that personnel retained in service despite such disability and later retiring/releasing on completion of engagement may receive 'Impairment Relief' under the 2023 framework.
3. Components of disability pension
The official 2023 FAQ describes Disability Pension as a composite monthly pension comprising a Service Element and a Disability Element. For cases governed by the current framework, use the exact entitlement and calculation provisions applicable to the individual rather than relying on an old percentage example alone.
4. Attribution or aggravation matters
A central question is whether the disability is held attributable to or aggravated by military service under the applicable entitlement rules. Medical diagnosis alone does not answer the pension-entitlement question; the service connection and adjudication under the governing rules matter.
5. Check the medical and service record
Keep the Release/Invaliding Medical Board or applicable medical-board proceedings, disability assessment, service documents, discharge/release category, PPO and the decision communicating entitlement. Check whether the recorded diagnosis, percentage, duration, attribution/aggravation finding and mode of exit are correct.
6. Broad-banding and later orders
Disability awards have been affected by Government orders and court decisions, including rules on rounding/broad-banding. DESW’s pension-circular index includes a 27 December 2023 order on rounding off and broad banding. Apply the order only after confirming that the pensioner’s category and date are covered.
7. If disability entitlement is denied
Read the reason in the decision: NANA finding, percentage, mode of exit, medical-board conclusion, rule applicability or another ground. An appeal should address that reason with service/medical evidence rather than only restating that a disability exists.
8. Appeal route
DESW’s pension information describes a first-appeal mechanism for denial of casualty pensionary entitlement through the Record Office/Service Headquarters under the applicable entitlement framework. For a current case, follow the appeal authority and time limit stated in the decision and the rules applicable to that case.
9. Do not mix tax, pension and ECHS questions
Income-tax treatment, ECHS disability-related benefits and disability pension entitlement are separate legal/administrative questions. A favourable result in one does not automatically establish the others.
10. Processing time
There is no single universal published disposal period covering every disability-pension claim, reassessment, appeal or revision. Use the case-specific acknowledgement and official appeal/request instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is every medical disability eligible for disability pension?
No. Entitlement depends on the applicable casualty pension rules, including the service connection and other conditions relevant to the case.
What is Impairment Relief?
Under the Entitlement Rules 2023 FAQ, it is the term used for the disability-related relief payable in the described retained-in-service cases; the FAQ says it is the same as the erstwhile Disability Element.
What records are most important for an appeal?
The medical-board proceedings, service circumstances, discharge/release documents, PPO and the written entitlement decision are key starting records.
Should an old pensioner automatically be judged under the 2023 rules?
No. The applicable rule set depends on the case and effective-date provisions. Older cases may require earlier entitlement rules and subsequent orders.
Official sources used
Checked against the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) Types of Pensions, Pension Regulations, Compendium of Pension Regulations and Orders and Pension Circulars. For casualty awards, the applicable Entitlement Rules and later Government orders must be checked for the individual case.
Last reviewed: 10 September 2026.