If your FERS Disability Retirement claim is denied, don’t worry, you have appeal rights! You can submit an appeal for reconsideration within 30 days from the date posted on your denial letter. When requesting a reconsideration you have three options, you can request a review of the evidence already provided in your file, or you can submit additional evidence to support your claim, or you can request a 30-day extension to gather new evidence to solidify your claim. Keep in mind that regardless of which option you choose, your case will be assigned to a different medical specialist for review. Additionally, if you are denied at reconsideration you can appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) within 30 days and have your claim reviewed by the board.
Overall, just know that denials are common and just because you were denied doesn’t mean you won’t be approved. This is when it’s critical to have a legal team on your side to navigate your situation.
