Last Updated on December 10, 2021
Procrastination leads to filing a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS or CSRS at the last minute, which leads one to simply attach a volume of medical documentation and list a grab-bag of medical conditions.
Sometimes, such an approach is thought to be the only way of preparing, formulating, and filing a Federal Disability Retirement application, especially when there is little or no time left in which to meet the statutory deadline for filing (a Federal or Postal employee must file within 1 year of being separated from Federal Service). It may well be the only way to file, given that a Federal or Postal employee has only days left to submit the Federal Disability Retirement application.
The fact is, one can only argue the merits of a case if, and only if, one has met the Statute of Limitations; if one fails to file in a timely manner, then there is simply no opportunity at all to argue the substantive basis for the Federal Disability Retirement application. Yet, even in “Last Minute” cases, it is important to pause and attempt to streamline a case. Why? Because once a case has been filed, and the Statute of Limitations has passed, a Federal or Postal employee is unable to change or otherwise amend the stated and identified medical conditions, as listed on Standard Form 3112A.
As such, even at the last minute, the grab-bag volume case should be — and can be — prepared and formulated with some thought. In the end, it will serve the Federal or Postal employee who is filing for OPM Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, well.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
FERS Lawyer exclusively representing employees