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Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

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impairments.<br />

(6) The availability <strong>of</strong> suitable employment.<br />

b. Vocational Suitability. In cases where the claimant has undergone vocational rehabilitation,<br />

the Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) will submit a final report to the RS summarizing why vocational<br />

rehabilitation was unsuccessful and listing two or three jobs which are medically and vocationally<br />

suitable for the claimant. Where no vocational rehabilitation services were provided, the RS will<br />

have provided this report. Included will be the corresponding job numbers from the Dictionary <strong>of</strong><br />

Occupational Titles (DOT) (or OWCP specified equivalent) and pay ranges in the relevant<br />

geographical area. The report should describe how requirements for Specific Vocational<br />

Preparation (SVP) were achieved.<br />

(1) The RC will also include the DOT's description (or OWCP specified equivalent) <strong>of</strong> the<br />

duties and physical requirements <strong>of</strong> each job. The positions listed may be those in which<br />

placement was attempted.<br />

(2) The RS will indicate to the CE, using the OWCP-3, that a rating may be based on this<br />

report. Because the RS is an expert in the field <strong>of</strong> vocational rehabilitation, the CE may rely<br />

on his or her opinion as to whether the job is reasonably available and vocationally suitable.<br />

(3) The CE may need to choose between two or more identified positions. Factors or<br />

circumstances to consider may include the employee's other skills, aptitude for acquiring<br />

new skills, mental alertness, general appearance, personality factors, and ability to adjust to<br />

the handicap; the need for a license; and the industrial realities in the area where the<br />

employee is to be rated.<br />

c. Availability. The statement from the RC or RS will also include a statement which addresses<br />

reasonable availability <strong>of</strong> the jobs in that area. (The RS should evaluate the WEC selections to<br />

ensure that the RC has adequately documented availability, etc., and counsel the RC if indicated.)<br />

Lack <strong>of</strong> current job openings does not equate to a finding that the position was not performed in<br />

sufficient numbers to be considered reasonably available. When necessary, the CE should consider<br />

the following factors:<br />

(1) The availability <strong>of</strong> the employment is usually evaluated with respect to the area<br />

where the injured employee resides at the time the determination is made, rather than the<br />

area <strong>of</strong> residence at the time <strong>of</strong> injury. However, when the employee voluntarily moves to<br />

an isolated locality with few job opportunities, the question <strong>of</strong> availability should be applied<br />

to the area <strong>of</strong> residence at the time <strong>of</strong> the injury.<br />

(2) If the employee is required to move to a certain area, isolated or otherwise, because<br />

<strong>of</strong> health conditions which were caused by the injury or which predated it, the issue <strong>of</strong><br />

availability must be considered with respect to the new area <strong>of</strong> residence. (For a discussion<br />

<strong>of</strong> isolated areas and other relevant issues, see Robert Campbell, 14 ECAB 113; Sidney<br />

Kawalick, 19 ECAB 272; and Lloyd Allen, 24 ECAB 112.)<br />

<strong>FECA</strong>-<strong>PT2</strong> Printed: 06/08/2010 444

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