OPM Disability Application Forms: SF 3112A and the Pathway through the Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy and creativity are conceptual opposites, rarely spoken in the same sentence, and never compatible, representing always a contrast in self-contradictory terms.  For, it is the former which implies the negation of the latter, or the stamping out of any hint of the former’s influence  […] Read More …

FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement for Federal and USPS Workers: The MSPB

The Merit Systems Protection Board (better known by its acronym, the “MSPB”) is the third stage of the administrative process in attempting to obtain Federal Disability Retirement […] Read More …

Medical Retirement for Federal Workers: The MSPB

The Merit Systems Protection Board is the arena, in a Federal Disability Retirement application, where the issues are taken out of the control of the Office of Personnel Management […] Read More …

OPM Disability Retirement: Life Changes

Major life changes occur at some point for everyone — new births; deaths; marriage; major illnesses. The trauma of a life-changing event such as a medical condition […] Read More …

Federal Employee Medical Retirement: Preparing for an MSPB Hearing

There is a singular focus when preparing for a Hearing at the Merit Systems Protection Board: that of persuading and convincing an Administrative Judge that you have proven, […] Read More …

CSRS & FERS Disability Retirement: The (non) Problem of Causality & Causation

In a Worker’s Comp (DOL/OWCP/FECA) case, causation and causality often loom as significant issues, and doctors often have to walk a difficult line in making unequivocal statements […] Read More …

OPM Disability Retirement: Reconsiderations

The Office of Personnel Management does not give a decision over the telephone. At least, that is their stated policy. They ask that you instead wait for their written decision, which will be […] Read More …

OPM Disability Retirement: When it Gets to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

For whatever reason, a certain percentage of cases reach the third level in the process of applying for Federal Disability Retirement benefits:  The Merit Systems Protection Board.  If an individual is unrepresented at this level, the identical problem as that which occurs in any courtroom presents itself:  an attorney representing an individual provides an appearance Read More …