If you are applying for Federal Disability Retirement, it is important to have a clear understanding of the role your doctor plays in the process. Your medical provider will be responsible for providing detailed medical documentation to support your case. This documentation is critical to proving that you are unable to continue working at your federal agency.
In this article, we will discuss what medical documentation must be provided to give you the best chance of being approved for Federal Disability Retirement. Contact our office today to see if you qualify for this amazing benefit!
Preparing for your application
Before starting the Federal Disability Retirement application process, you must have been treating with an established provider for at least 6 months. You should have a conversation with your medical provider regarding your work struggles and your decision to pursue Federal Disability Retirement.
Your doctor is a critical player in the Federal Disability Retirement process. Supporting medical evidence and doctor statements can make an immense difference when the Office of Personnel Management is reviewing a Federal Disability Retirement application. However, not every doctor is willing to help.
Many doctors are hesitant to get involved in legal matters like a Federal Disability Retirement case. But it’s still important to talk with your medical provider about your decisions for your future.
5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
1. Can we meet to discuss the possibility of retiring early due to my disability?
You should set up a meeting with your doctor to talk solely about this option for your future. Doctors often confuse Federal Disability Retirement and Social Security Disability, so make sure they understand the difference and how Federal Disability Retirement could benefit you.
You should highlight that Federal Disability Retirement is an occupational disability, not a total disability like Social Security Disability. This is an important distinction they need to make when considering whether to support you in your case.
2. What is your opinion of my ability to work?
First and foremost, your medical provider must see you as unable to continue working in your current position. You must be unable to perform at least one of the essential duties of your federal position in order to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. To help with this, you should provide your doctor with your job description so they can see what all is required from you at work.
Having clearly stated medical restrictions can aid your case, but they are not required to apply. You should, however, have a service deficiency in performance, attendance, or conduct that is caused by your disabling condition.
3. How long will my condition last?
Your condition must last for at least 12 months for you to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. If your medical provider does not think your condition is long-term, you will have a hard time receiving this benefit.
Additionally, if your condition is preexisting, you must prove that is has worsened while in your federal position. You can show this with treatment adjustments, an increase in a VA disability rating, and worsening performance.
4. Will I be able to work in a different job?
One major benefit to Federal Disability Retirement is the ability to work in the private sector while receiving your monthly annuity payments.
You should ask your doctor’s opinion on your ability to continue working, and whether you have a total or occupational disability. We see a lot of clients go on to work in the private sector in a job they have always wanted to try but were too afraid to, or never got the chance to pursue as a career. Watch our webinar Working While on Federal Disability Retirement to learn more.
If you have a total disability and are not able to work in the private sector, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which your doctor will have to help with as well. If you are approved for both SSDI and Federal Disability Retirement, there will be an offset between the two benefits.
5. Will you support me throughout this process?
A doctor’s statement is not necessary when applying for Federal Disability Retirement, but it can be the difference between an approval and a denial. The OPM wants definitive evidence that you are unable to continue working in your federal agency, and a medical professional’s statement can help prove that.
Make sure your doctor is aware of how much this could benefit you and how much it would help if they assisted you. You want to be very grateful for their assistance throughout your disability.
If your doctor is not willing to help you through this process, do not be discouraged. You can ask any secondary medical providers that you may have worked with to see if they will support you. If you do not have any doctor support, your medical evidence will have to be able to stand alone in support of your disability retirement.
Getting the Documentation You Need
Make sure your doctor is willing to assist you throughout this process and provide supporting documents and statements. You should have a comprehensive plan from your doctor that outlines your treatment. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will expect a detailed narrative from your medical provider to serve as support for your case as well. This narrative is a part of the Standard Form 3112 that must be filled out completely and correctly to be approved.
If your condition did not arise while working in your federal agency, you will need documentation that shows your condition has worsened due to your current job requirements. This could be an increase in VA disability, increased treatment, or worsening work performance.
You will also have to exhaust all of your reasonable accommodation and reassignment options with your agency before you are able to be approved for Federal Disability Retirement.
Qualifying Doctors
Having the right doctors’ support can make a significant difference in your OPM disability case. Not all medical professionals will be willing to take the time to help you, but make sure they know how critical their support could be to your case.
It’s especially helpful to seek treatment with a specialist, especially if you are suffering from a mental health condition. If you want to learn more about qualifying conditions, watch our webinar on Qualifying Disabilities for Disability Retirement.
Your provider does not have to be a medical doctor, but they do have to be licensed in their specialty. Therapists, psychiatrists, neurologists, physicians’ assistants, etc. could all provide statements to support your Federal Disability Retirement case.
What is Considered Helpful Medical Documentation?
Your doctor should provide detailed medical evidence to support your case such as-
- Any diagnoses, results from testing, and lab results
- Any treatments and their results
- Subjective evidence and opinions on your ability to perform your job duties
Having clearly stated medical restrictions are helpful but not required before starting your application. Medical restrictions help provide the OPM with a direct link from your medical condition to your work performance. Some other helpful documentation could be:
- Workers Compensation forms
- Functional capacity evaluations or fit for duty exams
- FMLA forms
- VA disability rating- especially if it has increased
- If approved for SSDI, any documentation used for support of an approved SSDI claim
Each of these documents serves as a way to prove to the OPM that you can no longer perform useful and efficient service at your federal agency. Learn more about what medical documents are helpful and what aren’t.
How we help
Gathering medical documentation and keeping everything organized can be overwhelming, but we are here to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible. We’ll request and gather all important medical records and help you build a claim with solid medical evidence.
We thoroughly review all medical documents to ensure only the most supportive evidence is included in your application, so you’ll have the best chance at receiving this benefit.
Remember, you must continue treating with your medical professional throughout the application process in case the OPM requests updated information. Small gaps in treatment are okay, but the gap should not be while you are applying.
Sorting through medical documentation and compiling the most supportive evidence for your case can be a long and arduous process, but that is exactly what we can help you with.
We have assisted over 10,000 clients apply for Federal Disability Retirement, and with a 99.9% success rate, we know exactly what the OPM is looking for in your medical documentation. Schedule a FREE consultation with our firm so we can help secure the future you deserve.
