Former firefighter filed action for administrative review of Firefighters' Pension Fund Board's denial of his request for "line of duty" disability pension. Plaintiff was deployed for military duty in Afghanistan for 10 months, in his service in Air National Guard, while employed as a firefighter. He was diagnosed with PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and VA determined that it was related to his military service and awarded him VA disability benefits. Two of the 3 physicians chosen by the Board expressly opined that Plaintiff's work duties, including one traumatic work incident, aggravated or exacerbated his preexisting psychological conditions, resulting in his disability. Medical records and some medical opinions suggest that aggravation of his symptoms was due, at least in part, to acts of duty such as driving fire trucks which reminded him of his combat exposure. (McDADE, concurring; SCHMIDT, dissenting.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Disability Benefits