OPM Disability Retirement: The Spouse
I find that when a person is filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, an important component which is often overlooked is the supportive spouse […] Read More …
federal employee disability benefits
OPM Disability Retirement: Reconsideration Decisions
Types of reconsideration decisions denying an applicant his or her Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS can and do span the entire spectrum, depending upon the […] Read More …
Federal Employee Disability Retirement: Discretion in a Response II
In responding to an initial denial of a Federal Disability Retirement application before the Office of Personnel Management, it is important to remain professional, and not to […] Read More …
CSRS & FERS Disability Retirement: Attorney Representation
I am still often asked about whether or not, or how helpful, legal representation would be in a Federal or Postal Disability Retirement case. To ask an attorney such a question is often unhelpful, for there is always the question as to how much “self-interest” an attorney has in […] Read More …
OPM Disability Retirement: Creativity Is Important In the Applicant’s Statement
It is important to creatively inter-weave facts, feelings, medical impact, symptoms and conditions into a persuasive Applicant’s Statement of Disability. It should not be overly emotional; it should not be voluminously long; it should not be preachy; it should not be written […] Read More …
CSRS & FERS Disability Retirement: Waiting too long
My approach to Federal Disability Retirement law is that there are very few, if any, mistakes made by the applicant which cannot be corrected, amended, or explained, especially where the essential ingredients of a “good” case are in existence: a supportive doctor; a position/duties which are […] Read More …
OPM Disability Retirement: The Filing II
People often come to me at the 2nd (Reconsideration) Stage, or the 3rd (Merit Systems Protection Board) Stage, and ask that I correct the mistakes made in the initial filing. Most mistakes can be corrected. Of course, it would have been better if the Applicant had done it properly the first time, for once […] Read More …
CSRS & FERS Disability Retirement: OPM’s Specific Denial II
It is important to always “define”, “corner”, and “circumscribe” any denial from the Office of Personnel Management. If you do not, then what happens at the next level is that it becomes a “de novo” process. Now, one might argue that all disability retirement appeals to the Merit Systems […] Read More …
Federal and Postal Disability Retirement: Are Psychiatric Disabilities Denied More Readily?
I am often asked whether or not it is more difficult to get disability retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS based upon a psychiatric medical condition (e.g., PTSD, Major Depression, Anxiety, panic attacks, Bipolar Disorder, etc.). […] Read More …
CSRS & FERS Disability Disability Retirement: Interaction with VER, A Continuing Dialogue
I sincerely hope that the proposed VERs which will be issued in the next couple of weeks will be economically viable and rewarding for those who qualify. I say this because the primary […] Read More …