Many federal employees ask our attorneys for a list of medical conditions that are eligible for federal disability retirement. There is no list per se, but you may qualify for federal disability retirement if you’ve been diagnosed with:
- Cancer
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Serious back or spine problems
- Cognitive health disorders
- Vision impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Autoimmune diseases
- Conditions that affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems
- Certain mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD)
Yet you need more than a diagnosis for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The health issue must impact your ability to do your job. Our federal employee disability retirement attorneys would like to explore different qualifying medical conditions, eligibility requirements for FERS disability retirement, and why you need good medical documentation as part of your application package.
If you need help with the federal disability retirement process or have questions about whether you qualify, The Bell Law Group is here for you. To request a free and confidential consultation with our attorneys, contact our federal worker rights law firm.
Key Takeaways:
- There is no official FERS or OPM list with qualifying medical conditions for federal disability retirement. Certain criteria must be met to be eligible for disability retirement, and specific diagnoses are not among the criteria.
- People have qualified for FERS disability retirement after being diagnosed with cancer, stroke-related impairments, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, vision and hearing impairment, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and severe injuries to the back or spine.
- Federal disability retirement can also cover mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia.
- OPM will focus on whether your diagnosis prevents you from doing your job as a federal employee. Strong, thorough, and properly prepared medical documentation (including a physician’s narrative report) are a compelling part of your disability retirement application.
- If your application for FERS disability retirement is denied, you can file an appeal. Working with a good attorney can help with this process.
What Medical Conditions Are Eligible for Federal Disability Retirement?
As we noted above, there is no set list of medical conditions that automatically qualify you for FERS disability retirement.
The key question is whether a federal employee’s medical condition prevents them from performing essential functions of their job. All kinds of injuries, illnesses, and diagnoses may make someone eligible for FERS disability retirement.
Additionally, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will examine whether an agency attempted to accommodate a federal employee’s disability or reassign the federal worker to a different position with comparable pay.
Medical Conditions That May Qualify for FERS Disability Retirement
Even though there is no qualifying list of conditions per se, many people who apply for FERS disability retirement do so because of the health problems listed below.
Serious and Terminal Illnesses
This covers diagnoses and health problems with long-term effects. This may include:
- Different kinds of cancers
- The effects of cancer treatment
- ALS/Lou Gherig’s disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Organ failure
Autoimmune Disorders
This covers various conditions that can cause chronic pain, inflammation, and debilitating flare-ups. This may include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
Musculoskeletal Disorders
This covers conditions that cause chronic pain or significantly limit mobility. This may include:
- Severe arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Chronic injuries affecting the neck or back
- Repetitive stress injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel)
- Fibromyalgia
- The effects of joint replacement
Neurological and Neurodegenerative Conditions
This covers various diagnoses that could affect concentration, balance, coordination, and general ability to function. This may include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Debilitating migraines
Respiratory Diseases
This covers lung conditions that result in limitations on physical activity and strain or limits in a person’s endurance. This may include:
- Severe asthma
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pulmonary hypertension
Cardiovascular Diseases
This covers heart conditions and conditions affecting the blood vessels that can impact overall physical activity. This may include:
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Ischemic heart disease
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Other Potentially Qualifying Medical Conditions
Other health problems can impact work performance and the ability to perform a job effectively. This may include:
- Vision impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Loss of a limb or use of a limb
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Note: This should not be considered an official OPM list of medical conditions that qualify for federal disability retirement. This is just a general list of serious health issues that can impact a federal employee’s ability to do their job effectively.
Can I Apply for OPM Disability Retirement for Mental Health Conditions?
Yes. In addition to physical injuries, health conditions, and terminal or debilitating illnesses, federal disability retirement can cover different kinds of mental health diagnoses.
Potentially eligible mental health conditions and psychiatric illnesses include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Various anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Dissociative disorders
How Do I Qualify for FERS Disability Retirement?
According to OPM’s eligibility guides for disability retirement, the following requirements must be met:
- You Have a Minimum of 18 Months of Service: FERS disability retirement applicants must serve at least 18 months in their federal position. There is no minimum age to apply for disability retirement.
- You Were Disabled While a Federal Employee: FERS disability applicants must be diagnosed with their medical condition while they were a federal employee.
- Your Condition Is Expected to Last at Least One Year: The FERS disability retirement applicant’s illness, injury, or condition is expected to last for at least one year.
- Your Agency Cannot Reasonably Accommodate You: The FERS disability retirement applicant’s agency is unable to make reasonable accommodations that allow the employee to perform their job.
- Your Agency Cannot Reassign You to a Comparable Position: The FERS disability retirement applicant’s agency is unable to reassign the employee to a different position in the commuting area with the same pay.
- You Have Filed Forms within One Year of Separation: Under FERS, the disability retirement applicant must submit the proper forms and supporting documentation to the OPM within one year of their separation from service.
- You Have Also Applied for Social Security Disability (SSD/SSDI): The FERS disability retirement applicant must also apply for Social Security Disability.
To learn more about federal disability retirement, we encourage you to read our 2026 guide on FERS disability retirement as well as our resource on how FERS disability retirement is calculated.
A Note on CSRS Disability Retirement
Before the FERS took effect in January 1987, federal retirement was handled through the Civil Service Retirement Act (CSRS). The older retirement program also offers retirement due to disability, though there are different eligibility requirements for CSRS disability retirement.
While our primary focus here is disability retirement through FERS, the lawyers at The Bell Law Group can also help with CSRS disability retirement applications and appeals.
Why Medical Documentation Is Crucial When Applying for Federal Disability Retirement
The medical documentation you provide is one of the most important parts of your application for disability retirement. Strong and complete medical documentation will establish these important details for your disability retirement application:
- Official Diagnosis of a Health Condition and Its Duration: This shows that a medical professional has provided a diagnosis and demonstrates that the condition will persist for at least 12 months even with treatment.
- Description of How the Condition Impacts Job Performance: Your documentation can describe how your condition will affect your ability to perform your job as well as other impacts on daily routines and activities.
- A Record of Medical Treatment for the Condition: Your medical records will also demonstrate that you’ve sought treatment for your condition. This might include surgery, physical therapy, mental health counseling, use of prescription drugs, and other procedures.
- Answers Possible Questions from OPM: When your application is scrutinized, good medical documentation can answer questions about the severity of your condition, its impact on your work, and what long-term care is required.
- Creates a Narrative Rooted in Medical Facts: A physician often includes a narrative report that connects the dots between your condition, tests and treatment, your symptoms, and the impact on your work duties and life outside of work.
When compiling medical documentation, be thorough. Include all test and lab results, hospital records, treatment records, diagnostic imaging, statement from treating physicians (especially on your work limitations), and a timeline that outlines the lead up to diagnosis and your subsequent treatment.
Applying for FERS Disability Retirement: What You Can Expect
To apply for FERS disability retirement, you will need to fill out OPM’s disability retirement application. Follow all instructions closely and provide as much supporting documentation as possible.
Note that if you have not yet left federal service but are applying for disability retirement, you can submit your application to your agency’s personnel office. Your agency’s personnel office can assemble your application package and submit it to OPM.
If it has been more than 31 days since you left federal service, you will need to assemble and submit the application package yourself. Remember that this application package is due within one year of leaving federal service.
What Happens If OPM Denies My Disability Retirement Application?
If your application for FERS disability retirement is denied, read that denial letter carefully. The denial letter will state the reason(s) the application was denied, essentially providing instructions on what you will need to provide during the appeal process.
You usually have 30 days from the date of the denial letter to request reconsideration for disability retirement. You can submit additional documentation to the OPM during this time.
If the OPM denies your application reconsideration, you can appeal this denial to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Once again, you will usually have 30 days from the date of the reconsideration denial to file an appeal with the MSPB.
Do I Need a Lawyer for FERS Disability Retirement Issues?
If you run into any setbacks with your FERS disability retirement application, it’s a good idea to speak with a federal worker rights attorney. A lawyer who understands federal disability retirement and how the OPM work when reviewing applications can be extremely helpful.
When you hire an FERS disability retirement attorney, they can provide:
- Help with the Application Process: If you’re dealing with changes in your physical or mental health, you may be overwhelmed by the application process. Your attorney can make sure you submit the proper documents and help your physicians provide the right records and craft a narrative that explicitly describes your work-related limitations.
- Assistance with the Appeal Process: Don’t feel discouraged just because your application gets denied. Your disability retirement lawyer can make sure you seek reconsideration within the deadline. If needed, your attorney can also ensure you file an appeal with the MSPB.
- Answers, Guidance, and Peace of Mind: You may not know what to expect when dealing with the OPM, but our federal employee rights lawyers do. We can answer your questions, seek the right documentation, prepare you for what’s ahead, and offer honest and clear guidance through every stage of the application and appeals process.
Why Federal Workers Trust the Attorneys at The Bell Law Group
Founded in 2002, The Bell Law Group has built a strong reputation for representing workers in both the public and private sectors. While based in New York, our law firm helps federal workers throughout the country exercise their rights and legal protections.
- Our Focus Is Employment Law and Workers’ Rights: The Bell Law Group focuses on employment law issues throughout New York and the rights of federal employees all over the country. This includes help with MSPB appeals, disciplinary and performance actions, loss of security clearance, and much more.
- Our Lawyers Have 100+ Years of Combined Experience: The team at The Bell Law brings more than a century of combined experience practicing law. Our federal employment law attorneys help you gather supporting documents, seek benefits, and dispute matters that could put your employment or retirement in jeopardy.
- We Have a Record of Fighting for Federal Workers: The Bell Law Group gets results for state and federal workers in complex cases. This includes multiple cases of helping employees submit applications for disability retirement benefits and making successful appeals after an initial denial. We encourage you to read through our successful case results to get a sense of our commitment to federal employees.
- All Consultations Are Free, Confidential, and No Obligation: A lot of federal workers worry that speaking with an attorney could mean losing their job. You don’t have to worry about that with The Bell Law Group. We protect workers and take our role seriously. Our firm provides free and confidential case evaluations with no obligation. Any details we discuss remain absolutely private.
Contact Our Law Firm About Federal Disability Retirement
If you are unsure whether you qualify for federal disability retirement or you need help with the process, you can count on our lawyers for help. To set up a free and confidential consultation with our attorneys, contact The Bell Law Group online.
