Facts
A., born in 1980, applied for benefits from the IV-Stelle (Disability Insurance Office) of the Canton of St. Gallen on November 10, 2016. By decision of July 14, 2021, the IV-Stelle denied A.'s claim for a disability pension.
On appeal by A., the Insurance Court of the Canton of St. Gallen overturned this decision and found that A. was entitled to a full disability pension as of May 1, 2017. The IV-Stelle then filed an appeal on a point of public law with the Federal Supreme Court.
Considerations
The Federal Supreme Court concluded that it was contrary to federal law to award the respondent a pension claim as of May 1, 2017. According to the expert opinion of Dr. med. B. of February 8, 2021, the respondent was not disabled, as his ability to work could have been significantly improved through medical measures - withdrawal from addictive substances and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The Federal Supreme Court stated that the respondent would have been able to abstain from alcohol and drug use on his own initiative and take the necessary medication to treat the…