u/Consistent-Most-9054

got my RA approved, in the email that my RAC sent if says “The decision-making official has approved your accommodation TO WHAT YOU ORIGINALLY REQUESTED.” I was too exited after way of over a year of worry so I scrolled and signed the form didn’t think much of it then. But now….since I’ve had time to think into it…..

My original request was on my 0857a which says full time permanent REMOTE work with ability to move in support of diagnosis (this will actually be needed, not now but eventually, I may need assistance at home but will be able to work functionally and well. my conditions are complex. My son currently assists, but eventually when he’s an adult he will will not be at my beck and call) it does not match what they put in block 8 of the 0857f which states the accommodation you requested is : and in the box it says full time TELEWORK. that is not what I requested. yes this is medically necessary eventually needed for family support especially if my condition worsens while at home and working. (Come at you if you will but the move will legitimately be medically necessary years down the road, not immediately). Another genuine question, are hardship waivers a thing with the VA in these circumstances when I can perform my job?

On the approval they checked block 9 Accommodation Decision: approved requested accommodation.

They also didn’t fill in block 10 which should have the effective date. I’d been on an interim.

they put in block 12 which applies to alternative accommodations: accommodation will support employee in performing essential functions , but this isn’t an alternative accommodation as I was told by RAC the above and box 9 on the approval.

the top of the form does say if anything is incorrect to contact as soon as possible. no response yet, but it is incorrect. the DMO had to see my 0857a which lists my functional limitations but no medical as well as my request.

another main concern: telework is different than remote

advice please, don’t judge, you don’t know my medical history. are they obligated to amend it to make it accurately reflect what they say they approved which was my original request as well as put a start date and is filling block 12 a procedural error?

TIA. Asking genuinely for authentic answers Without judgement. I am still grateful, but you see the issue here.

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u/Consistent-Most-9054 — 13 days ago

Almost two decades of fed service, I was hired as remote in 2018. I have a very serious OPM-classified targeted disability that triggers many serious secondary medical conditions to that disability that are collectively triggered and would create many barriers to me being able to perform the essential functions of my job in office. So thankful for my RA request to be approved today. Filed and been on interim since March 2025.

I believe what helped me is genuinely having a serious medical condition (technically multiple) and need for the RA (obviously) but also a doctor who can medically attest and opine on your condition(s) in providing the severity and duration that draws a nexus between the functional limitations and the need for 100% accommodation.

The burden of proof is on you and your doctor. Not all docs know what these federal forms require and will put something basic and general, which you think may work, but it doesn’t. Do your research, guide them for specifics that legitimately apply to you and your conditions, and if they medically concur because they know you and have been treating you, they will notate it. Unless you just have a really crappy doctor. But I will say, anyone that’s been seeing a doctor routinely for years for chronic conditions shouldn’t have any issues and if your doctor was crappy you should’ve been seeing another one. If you meet the burden of proof, have an actual serious condition, and have good medical documentation you'll get it one way or another whether it be initial, reconsideration, or EEO.

To those who have filed who just don’t want to go to an office, kick rocks. You’ve put those of us who actually needed these through the wringer the last year overloading the system, which made the wait longer for those of us with actual conditions, further exasperating our conditions.

One less burden to worry about for now, unless Sec HeeHaw does us dirty like HHS. otherwise super grateful for now.

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u/Consistent-Most-9054 — 15 days ago