Last Updated on March 23, 2012 by FERS Disability Attorney
“Stress”is a phrase which is used to describe a myriad of conditions, circumstances and origins of countless medical conditions. The word itself is malleable and elastic, and can be used in multiple forms — as an adjective, noun, verb, etc. As a term of common usage to describe the workplace, it is accepted as an inherent part of any job encapsulating a set of responsibilities, because of the accompaniment of positional duties, time management, goal-orientation, and working cooperatively with others in unison and common coordination of efforts.
In the context of preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the term itself will appear repeatedly throughout — in medical reports, in an Applicant’s Statement of Disability, and even in a Supervisor’s Statement.
In most circumstances, the term “stress” is used in a grammatically loose sense, and as a secondary identifier of a medical condition, as opposed to a primary diagnosis of a medical condition. To assert that one “suffers from stress” is a generalization which normally requires greater particulars, and rather describes one in a series of multiple symptoms rather than a conceptually clear diagnosis which is accepted in the medical community.
Moreover, such a statement implies that the “sufferer” of the “stress” receives such a condition and is responding to a particular source of such suffering — i.e., a specific workplace. This is where “situational disability” is then alleged, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will deny a Federal Disability Retirement application based upon such an assumption and implication.
There are ways to counter such assertions, implications and inferences, but such inoculation against such a charge must be addressed at the outset, not in the middle (although, in most cases, such mistakes can indeed be corrected), of preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
I am a PM who has been under a doctors care for over 3 years for facet arthrirtis pain in my back. Anxiety-stress, depression for 3-4 years and am currently taking Rx meds for the conditions. i have been going to the dr for thyroid disoprder that mu dr believes to be brought on by the stress of the Post office. I am no longer able to complete all of my duties due to the pain in my abdomen back and anxiety issues. I am 52 years old a,omost 53 with 25 years of service. Do you think i have a case or should i wait on the early retirement if i am able? .