A situational disability simply means that your disability is caused by outside factors that can be changed to reduce the effects of your disability. Conversely, an occupational disability affects your ability to perform the essential functions of your job. For example, you have a back injury, and your doctor says you can only lift up to 10 pounds, but your job requires that you have the ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. In this example your disability is affecting your occupation and is inhibiting you from performing that essential duty of your position. That would be considered an occupational disability that could potentially qualify for Federal Disability Retirement.
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The difference between a situational and occupational disability for Federal Disability Retirement
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