FROM: Barbara Hannah, Chief Counsel
SUBJECT: Disability Retirement Application of Thomas W. Collins, Jr.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Review and determine the Service-Connected Disability Retirement application of Thomas W. Collins, Jr. - San Bernardino County - County Fire.
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Requested Benefit:
1. Service-Connected Disability Retirement
Staff Recommendation:
1. Thomas W. Collins, Jr. is not permanently incapacitated for the performance of duties based on the claimed injury(ies)/disease as listed in Exhibit A; therefore, a disability retirement should be denied.
2. If disability retirement is determined at a future hearings stage, the effective date will be April 23, 2022, the day after the last day of regular compensation.
BACKGROUND:
This matter is in closed session because the Applicant is not permanently incapacitated and thus, the recommendation is to deny the request for a disability retirement.
Procedural History:
At the February 2, 2023 Board of Retirement meeting, the Board granted a 60-day continuance. Staff presented the case at the April 6, 2023 Board meeting; however, the Board continued the matter to a future meeting date to allow staff to gather additional information.
Staff collected additional medical records and received further evidence for review from the Applicant’s attorney. The information was reviewed by Dr. Mohr.
Medical Advisor - Lance Mohr, M.D., M.P.H.
Attorney - Michael Treger, Esq. - Straussner, Sherman, Lonné, Treger, Helquist
STAFF CONTACT:
Barbara Hannah
David Lantzer
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Claimed Injury or Disease
Exhibit B: Demographic Information
Exhibit C: Medical Advisor’s Report
Exhibit D: Medical Advisor’s Supplemental Report
Exhibit E: Independent Medical Examiner’s Report
Exhibit F: Applicant’s Statement of Facts and Physician’s Report
Exhibit G: Department Statement of Facts
Exhibit H: Job Description, Physical Requirements
Exhibit I: Additional Medical Records Provided by Applicant’s Attorney