Application was rejected

Decades of pain bring no pension

Martin Töpfer has files full of applications, expert opinions and rejections piling up. He has not known a life without pain for more than 30 years and needs a lot of medication.(Bild: Doris_SEEBACHER)

37 years ago (!), Martin Töpfer from Lower Austria suffered extremely serious injuries. He quickly continued to work, even as a chef. Now he can no longer - but he has been refused a disability pension.

Today, 54-year-old Martin Töpfer from the district of Wiener Neustadt has not had an easy life. In a traffic accident in 1987, he suffered severe vertebral injuries and a brain haemorrhage, among other things. After a stay in hospital and rehabilitation, he started working again as a chef and waiter just six months later, completed his apprenticeship and even made it to head chef. But his old injuries soon caught up with him again. Back and knee pain, exhaustion and difficulty concentrating caused him problems.

Exertion quickly led to exhaustion 
Pain and little support from colleagues soon forced him to leave his job in the kitchen and take a job in the mailroom. "Work that was too physically demanding and bullying led to total exhaustion with psychoses, panic attacks and depression," explains Töpfer. This was followed by relapses with longer periods of sick leave. Töpfer invests huge sums in medication and private psychotherapy sessions. "The expense is considerable, but the clinical picture remains unchanged."

However, the reports from the Pension Insurance Institution (PV), where Töpfer applied for disability pension for the first time in 2020, always assessed his state of health differently to the doctors treating him - they came to the conclusion that he was capable of working for at least 20 hours. "They negated the extensive findings of my psychiatrists and orthopaedic pain specialists," complains Töpfer.

(Bild: DORISSEEBACHER)

The PV states: "Mr. Töpfer submitted applications for the award of a disability pension in 2020 and 2021, which had to be rejected due to a lack of incapacity for work. After discussing the factual and legal situation, he withdrew the appeal against the rejection decision of July 7, 2021 due to its unsuccessfulness." In the previous year, Töpfer again applied for a declaration of invalidity and was again rejected. It was determined that Töpfer "could reasonably be expected to do at least half-shift work on the general labor market", explains the PV. Töpfer then filed a complaint. The proceedings are ongoing.

Suffering continues day and night
Martin Töpfer continues to suffer from severe concentration problems, sleep disorders and pain. "In principle, I'm willing to work, but so far I haven't found or been offered any suitable work," says the currently unemployed man. His everyday life can only be managed to some extent with the help of his family and good friends. "On good days, I can manage short car journeys," he says, describing his current situation. His wish: "To finally be granted my disability pension after 38 years of work."