Opinion ID: 1960972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Institution of Involuntary Retirement Proceedings

Text: On December 6, 1998, the United States Secret Service (USSS) instituted disability retirement proceedings against Beckman who had been with the USSS since 1981. Dr. Charles Filson, a licensed psychologist with Police and Fire Clinic Associates, L.L.C., submitted the recommendation that Beckman be considered for disability retirement because he was disabled due to his Major Depression, Recurrent, Severe. [3] At the time of the report, Beckman was on antidepressant medications, sometimes in large doses, but Beckman had shown only minimal improvement according to both of his treating physicians. Dr. Filson's report indicated that Beckman had required two hospitalizations in 1997, the first due to deterioration in his mental status, and the second for an overdose of Benzodianzepines. The records showed that in March 1998, the Special Agent in charge of the Cincinnati office had petitioned for Beckman's removal based on his medical condition. Dr. Filson also mentioned a USSS medical department report by Richard J. Miller, M.D. expressing his opinion that Beckman was disabled and unable to perform his essential job functions. In October 1998, Beckman's treating psychologist filed an affidavit with the Department of Labor stating that Beckman was fully disabled due to major depression. Dr. Filson gave Beckman a cognitive examination which showed impairment in his attention span, concentration, and short term memory, although his insight and judgment were good. Based on interviews with Beckman, his treating doctors and a review of all the records, Dr. Filson opined that the major depression now disabling SA Beckman is a direct consequence of his performance of duties and was incurred in the line of duty. Further, Dr. Filson stated that his review of the records did not reveal any evidence that suggests non-duty related causality, pre-existing or otherwise caused psychiatric illness, personality disorder or family neuro-psychiatric history. He also indicated in the report that there was no evidence that Beckman was malingering, faking or exaggerating his symptoms. According to Dr. Filson's report, Beckman, who was appointed to the United States Secret Service (USSS) in 1981, developed his first symptoms of major depression in 1986, which Beckman attributed to extended separations from his family during duty assignments with the Presidential detail. [4] Dr. Filson reviewed the report of Dr. Leonard Guedalia, who saw Beckman when he was referred for a fitness for duty psychological evaluation after threatening to kill his boss and himself. Dr. Guedalia noted that Beckman had considerable depression, abnormal reactions to crises involving significant disappointment and [ ] Beckman's inability to cope with his work related issues and family complications. Dr. Filson observed that it is clear from the report that Dr. Guedalia considered [Beckman's] depressive reaction to be work related. Dr. Filson observed that the USSS provided no follow-up counseling or examinations on Beckman's mental status, and Beckman did not seek private treatment at that time because of fear of stigmatization and loss of his security clearance. Dr. Filson testified before the Board that Beckman should have received follow-up treatment for what he described as a very dangerous circumstance. According to Dr. Filson's report, Beckman returned to work and continued to function with a low level of depression until 1997, and he became isolated and aloof.