Federal Disability Retirement (FERS/CSRS) Evaluation
OPM compliant psychological evaluation for federal employees seeking disability retirement. Comprehensive narrative statement linking your mental health condition to essential job functions. Specialized expertise in occupational disability assessment. Documentation within 14 business days.
Understanding Federal Disability Retirement for Mental Health Conditions
Federal Disability Retirement through the Office of Personnel Management provides lifetime annuity benefits for federal employees whose mental health conditions prevent them from performing their essential job duties. Unlike Social Security Disability, which requires inability to perform any substantial gainful employment, FERS disability retirement is occupational, focusing specifically on whether you can perform your current federal position.
Federal employees under FERS or CSRS can apply for disability retirement when a mental health condition prevents useful and efficient service in their current position. The Office of Personnel Management evaluates applications based on medical documentation, agency certification of accommodation efforts, and evidence of service deficiency caused by the medical condition.
FERS disability retirement differs fundamentally from FMLA, short term disability, and Social Security Disability. FMLA provides temporary job protection. Short term disability offers income replacement for limited periods. Social Security Disability requires inability to work in any occupation. FERS disability retirement provides permanent annuity benefits while requiring only that you cannot perform your specific federal job duties.
OPM applies rigorous evidentiary standards different from clinical treatment documentation. Medical statements must connect your diagnosis to specific job performance deficiencies using forensic language focused on occupational impairment rather than symptoms alone. This specialized documentation requirement is why many treating providers cannot complete effective FERS disability evaluations.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least 18 months of creditable civilian service under FERS or 5 years under CSRS
- Mental health condition developed or worsened while employed in a FERS covered position
- Condition expected to last at least one year
- Agency certification that it cannot reasonably accommodate your disability
- No vacant positions at the same grade and pay level within your commuting area
- Documentation connecting diagnosis to specific service deficiencies
Who Needs This Evaluation?
- You are a FERS or CSRS employee with at least 18 months (FERS) or 5 years (CSRS) of creditable civilian service
- Your performance ratings, attendance records, or conduct have declined due to a mental health condition that developed or worsened during federal employment
- Your agency has provided notice of performance deficiency, proposed adverse action, or documented accommodation efforts
- Your agency has certified it cannot reasonably accommodate your disability in your current position or reassign you to vacant positions at the same grade and pay level
- You need medical documentation that meets Office of Personnel Management evidentiary standards and connects your diagnosis to specific service deficiencies
- Your treating providers cannot provide the forensic occupational analysis OPM requires for disability retirement approval
Conditions We Evaluate
Dr. Laura Kupperman-Caron, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Laura Kupperman-Caron is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience conducting forensic psychological evaluations and occupational disability assessments. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, an APA-accredited doctoral program, and completed her post-doctoral residency at the Miami VA Hospital specializing in clinical health psychology serving federal employees and veterans. During her decade serving federal employees and veterans in the VA system, Dr. Kupperman-Caron developed extensive expertise in occupational disability assessment, functional capacity evaluation, and the unique challenges federal employees face when mental health conditions impact job performance. Her evaluations are specifically designed to meet Office of Personnel Management evidentiary requirements, connecting clinical findings to service deficiencies using the forensic language OPM adjudicators require for approval decisions.
Why Your Treating Provider Cannot Complete Effective FERS Documentation
Federal disability retirement applications require fundamentally different documentation than clinical treatment
Your therapist documents symptoms and treatment progress. OPM requires forensic analysis connecting diagnosis to specific job performance deficiencies. The documentation must demonstrate how your condition prevents useful and efficient service in your particular federal position, not just that you have a mental health condition requiring treatment.
OPM evaluates whether you can perform your specific federal job, not whether you're disabled in general. Effective documentation requires detailed analysis of your position description, essential job functions, and how your mental health condition prevents performing those particular duties. Treating providers typically lack access to your position description and personnel records needed for this analysis.
Federal disability retirement is ultimately a legal determination based on medical evidence. Documentation must address statutory requirements including the one year prognosis rule, connection between medical condition and service deficiency, and agency's inability to accommodate. These legal standards are unfamiliar to most clinical providers.
OPM Uses Forensic Standards
OPM requires forensic analysis connecting diagnosis to specific job performance deficiencies, not clinical treatment notes documenting symptoms and therapy progress.
Service Deficiency Focus Required
Clinical notes describe symptoms. OPM needs documentation of how symptoms specifically cause the attendance problems, performance deficiencies, or conduct issues documented in your personnel file.
Position Specific Analysis Needed
Effective documentation requires detailed analysis of your position description, essential job functions, and how your condition prevents performing those specific duties.
Understanding Federal Employment Context
Dr. Kupperman-Caron's 10 years as a staff psychologist in the VA healthcare system provides unique insight into federal employment challenges. She understands the demands placed on federal employees, the culture of federal agencies, common stressors in federal positions, and how mental health conditions manifest in federal workplace settings.
Experience with OPM Review Process
Specialized evaluators understand what OPM medical reviewers look for, common reasons for denial, and how to present evidence in ways that satisfy OPM's unique evidentiary standards.
What's Included
Everything you need for a complete evaluation.
- Review of personnel records including SF 3112B supervisor statement
- Analysis of position description and essential job functions
- Review of accommodation denial letters and reassignment efforts (SF 3112D)
- Examination of performance appraisals, attendance records, and disciplinary actions
- Review of all medical and mental health treatment records
- Coordination with your federal employment attorney if represented
- 2 to 4 hour forensic clinical interview focused on federal employment
- Comprehensive work history focused on federal employment
- Detailed exploration of how mental health symptoms affect essential job duties
- Timeline of medical condition development during federal service
- Analysis of specific performance deficiencies, attendance problems, or conduct issues
- Assessment of accommodation attempts and why they failed
- Functional capacity evaluation for federal position requirements
- Comprehensive Doctor's Narrative Statement (SF 3112C equivalent)
- Medical narrative linking diagnosis to essential job function deficiencies
- One year prognosis statement certifying condition duration expectation
- Detailed discussion of causal relationship between condition and service deficiency
- Analysis of why accommodation or reassignment is unreasonable
Federal Disability Retirement vs Social Security Disability
Understanding the critical differences between these two disability programs
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Disability
Occupational disability for your specific federal job
- Occupational disability requiring proof you cannot perform your specific federal job
- May be capable of other work but unable to perform essential federal position duties
- Annuity benefits calculated from High 3 average salary
- 60 percent during year one, 40 percent thereafter until age 62
- Can earn up to 80 percent of former position salary in private sector
- Must apply for SSDI but approval not required
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Total disability from any substantial gainful employment
- Requires total disability from any work in the national economy
- More stringent standards than FERS disability
- Benefits based on lifetime earnings under Social Security
- Cannot work while receiving benefits (with limited exceptions)
- Many FERS applicants approved while SSDI claims pending or denied
- Different documentation focusing on inability to work in any capacity
How It Works
A simple, straightforward process from start to finish.
Initial Consultation and Claim Viability Assessment
Before scheduling, we review your High 3 salary period, creditable service time, and timeline of medical decline to ensure your claim meets basic FERS eligibility requirements.
- Discuss your agency's accommodation efforts and reassignment consideration
- Review personnel documentation to assess claim viability
- Identify any gaps in documentation or procedural issues
- Confirm basic FERS eligibility requirements are met
Document Collection and Review
Upload your position description, SF forms, performance records, and all relevant documentation for Dr. Kupperman-Caron to review before your evaluation.
- Position description and SF 3112B supervisor statement
- SF 3112D agency certification of accommodation and reassignment efforts
- Performance appraisals showing decline and attendance records
- Accommodation correspondence and all medical treatment records
Forensic Clinical Interview
The 2 to 4 hour evaluation focuses specifically on occupational functioning rather than general symptoms using forensic methodology.
- Federal job history and essential position duties exploration
- How your mental health condition developed or worsened during employment
- Specific examples of performance deficiencies caused by your condition
- Accommodation attempts and why they failed
- Functional capacity assessment for your particular federal position
Coordination with Federal Employment Attorney
If you're represented by counsel, Dr. Kupperman-Caron collaborates with your attorney to ensure medical documentation addresses specific OPM requirements.
- Align medical evidence with legal arguments
- Identify documentation gaps before submission
- Respond to attorney requests for specific medical opinions
- Ensure narrative statements use terminology OPM adjudicators expect
Comprehensive Medical Narrative Delivery
Within 14 business days, receive a detailed Doctor's Narrative Statement specifically formatted for OPM review.
- Diagnostic assessment with occupational impairment analysis
- One year prognosis statement
- Causal connection between condition and service deficiency
- All documentation presented in forensic language OPM adjudicators require
Evaluation Fees
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
FERS/CSRS Evaluation and Narrative Report
Comprehensive 2-4 hour forensic evaluation with full narrative statement ($3,500 to $4,500)
Records Review Fee
Review of personnel records, medical documentation, and agency certification materials
Prices may vary based on complexity. Contact us for a personalized quote.
Federal Disability Retirement for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions leading to federal disability retirement, particularly among VA employees, law enforcement personnel, correctional officers, and federal staff in high stress or trauma exposed agencies.
PTSD qualifies for federal disability retirement when symptoms create documented service deficiencies preventing useful and efficient performance of essential job duties. The condition must have developed or worsened during federal employment and be expected to last at least one year.
Certain federal positions create unique challenges for employees with PTSD. VA employees treating traumatized veterans may develop secondary trauma from repeated exposure. Law enforcement and correctional officers often cannot safely perform duties requiring split second threat assessment when hypervigilance and trauma reactivity impair judgment. Federal employees in positions requiring security clearances may face additional scrutiny when PTSD symptoms affect reliability or judgment.
Not all PTSD qualifies for FERS disability retirement. OPM evaluates symptom severity, frequency of traumatic trigger exposure in your specific position, impact on essential job functions rather than peripheral duties, persistence despite reasonable treatment attempts, and whether the condition creates safety concerns or inability to perform critical position requirements.
Common Symptoms
- Inability to concentrate on complex tasks due to intrusive memories
- Hypervigilance and startle responses disrupting workplace functioning
- Avoidance of work situations or colleagues triggering trauma memories
- Emotional reactivity creating interpersonal conflicts with supervisors or coworkers
- Difficulty managing stress inherent in federal position responsibilities
- Impaired judgment and decision making affecting work quality
- Attendance problems when symptoms prevent leaving home or entering workplace
- Safety concerns in positions requiring situational awareness or threat assessment
Qualification Criteria
- PTSD diagnosis with DSM criteria and trauma history
- Assessment of how specific PTSD symptoms impair essential job functions
- Evidence of treatment attempts including therapy and medication
- Functional capacity evaluation for position specific demands
- Concrete examples of service deficiencies caused by PTSD symptoms
- Explanation of why workplace accommodations are insufficient or impossible
- One year prognosis supporting continued impairment expectation
Frequently Asked Questions
FERS disability is occupational, requiring proof you cannot perform your specific federal job. Social Security Disability requires total disability from any work in the national economy. While FERS applicants must apply for SSDI, you don't need SSDI approval to get FERS approval.
Many federal employees are denied SSDI but approved for FERS because the standards differ substantially. FERS focuses on your particular position's essential functions while SSDI evaluates ability to work in any occupation.
Your mental health condition must be expected to last at least one year from the date OPM receives your application. This prognosis requirement means temporary conditions or those likely to improve quickly with treatment typically don't qualify.
The medical narrative must specifically address why your condition will persist for at least one year despite ongoing treatment. Progressive conditions like early onset dementia easily meet this requirement while adjustment disorders following life stressors may not.
The Doctor's Narrative Statement is submitted to OPM as part of your medical documentation. Your agency's HR department and OPM medical reviewers will see the complete narrative.
However, your direct supervisor typically only sees the Agency Certification forms (SF 3112B and SF 3112D) and does not necessarily receive copies of detailed medical documentation including private therapy history, trauma details, or specific psychiatric symptoms. The extent of medical information shared with agency personnel varies by agency policy.
Yes, with limitations. You can work in the private sector and earn up to 80 percent of the current salary of your former federal position while still receiving your FERS annuity.
If your earnings exceed 80 percent of your former position's current salary in any calendar year before age 60, OPM considers you restored to earning capacity and your annuity stops. You cannot work in another federal position equivalent to your former position as this constitutes administrative recovery.
OPM frequently denies applications because treating providers' documentation is too clinical and not forensic enough. Your therapist documents symptoms and treatment progress. OPM requires occupational analysis connecting your diagnosis to specific service deficiencies using the legal and medical terminology OPM adjudicators expect.
Specialized forensic evaluators understand OPM's evidentiary standards, review process, and common denial reasons. We translate clinical symptoms into the service deficiency language OPM requires, analyze how your condition prevents performing your specific federal position's essential functions, and structure documentation to satisfy OPM's unique requirements.
After submitting a complete application, OPM typically takes 4 to 8 months to make initial determination, though processing times vary. If additional medical information is requested, response time affects overall duration.
Applications denied at initial review can be appealed through reconsideration and ultimately to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Working with experienced federal disability counsel and providing comprehensive medical documentation upfront reduces likelihood of requests for additional information or denial requiring appeal.
If OPM denies your initial application, you have 30 days to request reconsideration. The reconsideration process allows submission of new medical evidence or clarification addressing denial reasons.
If reconsideration is denied, you can appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board within 30 days. MSPB appeals involve formal legal proceedings and typically require representation by federal employment counsel. We can provide supplemental evaluations and documentation for reconsideration or appeal addressing specific deficiencies identified in OPM's denial.
Yes, but timing is critical. You must apply for FERS disability retirement within one year of separation from federal service. If you're beyond the one year deadline, very limited exceptions exist for mental incompetence.
If you're within the one year window, we can conduct evaluation and prepare necessary medical documentation. However, obtaining agency certification of accommodation and reassignment efforts becomes more difficult after separation, making early application before separation strongly preferable when possible.
Dr. Kupperman-Caron is licensed in Illinois and Florida and holds PSYPACT authorization enabling telehealth services to federal employees physically located in Illinois, Florida, or PSYPACT participating states at the time of evaluation.
Current PSYPACT states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Dr. Kupperman-Caron's 10 years as a staff psychologist within the VA healthcare system gives her unique insight into federal employment challenges and occupational disability assessment. She understands the demands placed on federal employees, common stressors in federal agencies, and how mental health conditions manifest in federal workplace settings.
This direct federal employment experience, combined with specialized training in forensic psychological evaluation, enables her to provide the occupational analysis OPM requires in language federal adjudicators understand.
Important Information About This Service
This evaluation provides comprehensive forensic psychological assessment and medical documentation designed to meet Office of Personnel Management evidentiary standards. Dr. Kupperman-Caron conducts objective evaluations and provides honest clinical determinations using forensic methodology. However, this is not a guarantee of OPM approval. The Office of Personnel Management makes final disability retirement determinations based on review of medical evidence, agency certifications, personnel records, and applicable federal law and regulations.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your federal disability retirement (fers/csrs) evaluation today.