After serving in the US Military for 20 years, William decided to continue serving our country as a federal worker training new soldiers.
Unfortunately, the scars left from his service in the military followed him and his mental health eventually got to the point where he couldn’t keep going.
Here’s the true story of one of Harris Federal’s former clients – how he stepped away from his career so he could prioritize his health without compromising his future.
This is William’s real story (with his name and details adjusted for privacy), and it may resonate with anyone struggling to balance their mental health and work.
Background: William’s Situation and Why His Career Was on the Line
Who: William, 55, a 20-year US Army veteran and family man
Career: 15 years training Army soldiers
The Challenge: his work environment was a daily reminder of past military trauma, which trigged his PTSD and other mental health conditions
Medical Conditions: Chronic mental health issues that were made worse by his work environment
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- Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Persistent and worsened by work environment leading to hypervigilance and exaggerated startle reflex
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic: Frequent panic attacks triggered at work leaving him debilitated
- Major Depressive Disorder: Difficulty controlling emotions at work
- Insomnia/Hypersomnia: PTSD related inability to sleep at night which led to excessive tiredness throughout the day
Turning point: When the constant triggers, PTSD, and exhaustion became too heavy to carry alone
After years of experiencing the following symptoms at work and at home, William was forced to take extended leave.
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- Flashbacks,
- Outbursts,
- Nightmares,
- Depression,
- Feeling on edge,
- Exhaustion, and
- Lack of concentration throughout the day,
Despite treatment and different kinds of therapy, he continued to struggle.
His doctor concluded that William’s conditions were permanent and that he couldn’t continue working.
His Decision:
William’s supervisor wanted to help by giving him extra leave, but William was ready to find a new solution – one that would allow him to get the treatment he needed and step away from an environment that continually triggered painful memories and feelings.
Planning for a secure future: How William found the help he needed
As he searched for answers, William discovered Harris Federal Law firm at the end of 2023.
He signed on and was matched with case manager Jessica Splendorio, who got straight to work helping William gather all the evidence he’d need to apply for Federal Disability Retirement.
Jessica guided him through
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- Paperwork
- Gathering forms from doctors
- Determining what was supportive and what wasn’t
Jessica and the rest of the Harris Federal team worked to build William the strongest possible case, while always being present to answer his questions and concerns.
The Outcome: A new chance to thrive
After around 6 months, William got his approval letter from the OPM, confirming that he’d won his Disability Retirement case.
William could step away from work, but also:
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- Continue getting part of his monthly wages
- Keep his federal health and life insurance
- Keep gaining years of service for the next 7 years until he turned 62
- Have the option to pursue a job in the private sector that let him stay within his medical restrictions
In William’s own words: “Thank you to all at Harris for your help and guidance throughout this process. It was a relief having experts on my team that know how to win.”
If you’re a federal employee, struggling with a mental health condition that makes going to work every day a challenge, know that you’re not alone.
There are thousands of federal workers like you and William.
If you want to find out if Federal Disability Retirement is the key to stepping out of this cycle, call our office today for a free consultation. We’ll help you plan for a bright future.
