Last Updated on March 31, 2022
Obtaining the support of one’s treating doctor is an essential element in preparing, formulating and filing a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS. The “treating doctor” is a unique animal, and one who possesses peculiar and particularized knowledge specifically relevant to a Federal Disability Retirement case.
The treating doctor usually has a longstanding relationship with the potential Federal Disability Retirement applicant; through extensive and multiple clinical encounters, has formed a professional opinion about the overall health issues of his/her patient; has often spoken about other matters, including personal issues, and therefore has formed that puzzling emotional bond identified as a “relationship” with the potential Federal or Postal Disability Retirement applicant; has knowledge of the history of the Federal or Postal employee, including personal tidbits of information; and other important information.
Aside from the fact that the Merit Systems Protection Board’s specific acknowledgement of the importance of the treating doctor (while not denigrating the ability of a referral doctor or disability specialist in also playing an important part in the determination of an OPM Disability Retirement application), it is precisely because of this knowledge that he/she possesses — based upon a thorough understanding grounded upon historical information gathered over a span of time; based upon intimate clinical encounters; based upon a professional observation of the chronicity, impact and progressive nature of a medical condition upon the abilities and capabilities of the Federal or Postal employee — that a special “place” of status and stature is granted to the Treating Doctor.
This is important to know in preparing, formulating and filing an OPM Medical Disability Retirement application under FERS.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
Hello, my name is Cindy Rodrigues. I will be contacting you to ask about OPM disability retirement. I have medical problems from my feet to my neck and then some.I am trying to hold out because I will have 30 years by the end of 2014. I work as a distribution clerk that is more then I can handle I have herniated discs in my neck that was from a fall in 2003 .I unfortunatley did not file but I fell again in 2007 ripped splenadis I filed ca1 was accepted. I am going to pain managment I was tested for corporal tunnel It was diagnosed severe in left moderate in right hand.I have no cartilage left in the bones on the top of my feet. I have the disabled sign for this in my car. I feel like I need to seek direction on where to start to get help. One thing Dr said is find out if filing disability will affect my retirement . I want to give you a simplified idea of my current situation before I call. Hope to hear from you Thank You CR.