FERS - CSRS Disability Retirement Annuity - Tell Your Doctor How You Really Feel | Andalman & Flynn Law Firm
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FERS – CSRS Disability Retirement Annuity – Tell Your Doctor How You Really Feel

Oct 10, 2010 | Disability Law, Federal Disability Retirement

When asked how they are doing by a doctor, many people answer with what they think is the appropriate thing to say; “I am okay”, “I am good” or “I am doing well”.  If you are a federal employee or postal worker who is medically unable to do your job, these answers couldn’t be further from the truth.  In fact, these simple answers can come back to bite you when applying for a FERS or CSRS federal disability retirement annuity, or other disability benefits, and can be used as a basis to deny your claim.  If you are not doing well, you must tell your doctor.  You should fully and accurately describe to your doctor the severity of your symptoms and how they restrict and limit your ability to attend and/or perform your job as well as how they affect you outside of work.  Remember, it is imperative that this information is documented in your medical records as it provides the support necessary to prove that you meet the legal standards and criteria to win a disability retirement annuity application before the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and/or the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

– Elliott Andalman, Esq.