Last Updated on February 11, 2010 by FERS Disability Attorney
It is amazing how a Supervisor’s Statement is completed. Normally, it is completed without much thought; sometimes, it is completed with too much thought (and self-protective, CYA language concerning how much effort the agency attempted in “accommodating” the employee, when in fact little or no effort was made); more often than not, there is a last, parting shot at the employee — some unnecessary “dig” which often contradicts other portions of the statement; and, finally, every now and then, the Supervisor’s Statement is completed in the proper manner, with forethought and truthfulness.
Fortunately, the Office of Personnel Management rarely puts much weight on a Supervisor’s Statement in making a determination on a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS or CSRS — unless there is some glaring statement of a deliberate attempt to undermine the Application. This is rare, because it is a medical disability retirement, not a Supervisor’s disability retirement — meaning, that it is the medical opinion, not the opinion of a Supervisor, which is (and should be) most important.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
Dear Mr. McGill,
I am a modified carrier for the USPS. I have been receiving OWCP benefits for a little more than a year. OWCP has sent me to a second opinion doctor and a third opinion doctor that claim I have no injuries. My questions is, I have applied for CSRS disability retirement. What effects would these doctor’s opinions have on a decision in determining my elegibilty for disability retirement? Do they (the 2nd & 3rd doctor’s opinion) have any effect on OPM’s decision?