If you become disabled during the course of your federal career, you may be

entitled to a disability annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System

(CSRS).

You must meet these requirements for CSRS disability

retirement:

- You must have completed at least 5 years of federal civilian service.

- While employed in a position covered under the CSRS, you must have become

disabled for "useful and efficient service" in both your current position and

any other vacant position at the same grade or pay level for which you are

qualified.

In addition:

- Your employing agency must determine that you are not qualified for

reassignment to any other vacant position within your agency and your commuting

area at the same grade or pay level of the position you currently occupy.

- You or someone acting for you must file an application for disability

retirement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) either before you leave

federal service or within 1 year after you leave. This time limit can be waived

only when an employee is mentally incompetent on leaving the federal service or

becomes mentally incompetent within 1 year after leaving. In such a situation,

the application will be accepted by OPM if filed within 1 year from the date the

employee is restored to competency or a guardian is appointed, whichever is

earlier.

Important definitions and considerations:

You are "disabled" when the information submitted indicates

that there is a service deficiency, caused by disease or injury, of sufficient

degree to preclude useful and efficient service.

"Useful and efficient service" means:

• either acceptable performance of the critical or essential elements of the

  position or the ability to perform at that level; and

• satisfactory conduct and attendance.

Service which is not "useful and efficient" is a level of performance or

attendance which, if it were to continue, would warrant denial of a within-grade

increase, demotion, separation, or other remedial action.

If you refuse reassignment to a position at the same grade or pay level in

the same commuting area, your refusal terminates the agency's obligation to

identify any other vacant position and may disqualify you from further

consideration for disability retirement.

A claim for disability retirement must include documentation that

clearly and specifically establishes:

1. A deficiency in service with respect to performance, conduct, or attendance,

   or in the absence of any actual service deficiency, a showing that the medical

   condition is incompatible with either useful service or retention in the

   position;

2. A medical condition defined as disease or injury, including psychiatric

   disease;

3. That the medical condition caused the service deficiency;

4. The duration of the medical condition, both past and expected, and a showing

   that the condition, in all probability, will continue for at least a year;

5. The inability to provide useful and efficient service arose while serving

   under the Civil Service Retirement System;

6. The inability of the employing agency to make reasonable accommodation to

   the medical condition; and

7. The absence of another position, within the employing agency and commuting

   area, at the same grade or pay level and tenure, for which the employee is

   qualified for reassignment.

Your agency will provide assistance in obtaining the required forms to obtain

statements from your supervisors and attending physicians and proof that your

condition prevents you from performing useful and efficient service.

If you are found to be disabled as outlined above, you will be

allowed to retire under  CSRS.  Up to the age of 60, you will

be subject to periodic medical reevaluation to determine whether the disabling

condition continues to exist, and an annual review of your earnings to determine

whether you are "restored to earning capacity".

Source:  OPM RI 83-4