Supreme Court Grants Pension to Schizophrenia-Affected Veteran, Criticizes Flawed Medical Process
The Supreme Court held that denial of disability pension based on a Medical Board's unreasoned opinion violates Regulation 423 of the Medical Services Regulations, which mandates detailed reasoning for attributability/aggravation findings. The Court emphasized strict compliance with procedural safeguards for service-linked disabilities and ruled that conclusory medical opinions without justification cannot deprive veterans of pensionary benefits. Liberal interpretation of beneficial provisions was underscored, with the burden shifting to authorities when discharge is initiated institutionally. The judgment reinforces the statutory requirement of causal connection between service conditions and disability, while mandating reasoned analysis from medical authorities.
Facts Of The Case:
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