Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

(d) Closure of a base or other facility; or
(e) A condition which results from a new injury, even if it involves the same part
of the body previously injured, or by renewed exposure to the causative agent of a
previously suffered occupational disease. If a new work-related injury or exposure
occurs, Form CA-1 or CA-2 should be completed accordingly.
However, in some occupational disease cases where the diagnosis remains the same but
disability increases, the claimant may submit Form CA-2a rather than filing a new claim.
For instance, a claimant with carpal tunnel syndrome who has returned to work, but whose
repetitive work activities result in the need for surgery, need not be required to file a new
claim. However, in emotional stress cases a new claim should always be required.
2-1500-4 Claims for Recurrence
4. Claims for Recurrence. The purpose of this paragraph is to discuss how authorization for further
medical care or additional compensation is requested. Such requests may be received on Form CA-2a or
by letter.
a. Evaluating the Request. If a formal decision addressing continuing injury-related disability
for work has been issued, the claimant may be requesting reconsideration rather than claiming a
recurrence. A reconsideration request should refer explicitly to a prior formal decision and ask that
the decision be reevaluated, while a request to reopen the case should address some material
change in the employee's medical condition or employment status. Requests are sometimes
unclear, however, and it is possible to have a valid claim for recurrence in a denied case if the
denial was limited to a specific period of time or particular medical services, and the claim for
recurrence addresses a different time period or a change in job duties.
b. Advising the Claimant. An employee who requests action from OWCP based on renewed
disability for work or documented need for medical care should be asked to complete Form CA-2a,
Notice of Employee's Recurrence and Claim for Continuation of Pay. The form should be filled out
as follows:
(1) A claimant who is still Federally employed should complete Part A and give the form
to the employing agency for completion of Part B.
(2) A claimant who is no longer Federally employed should complete Parts A and C. The
form need not be forwarded to the former employing agency for completion of Part B.
c. Determining Whether a Decision is Necessary. Claims for recurrence require adjudication
except when:
(1) The claimant is still receiving continuation of pay (COP). Claims for recurrence of
disability for work during this time almost always occur within 90 days of return to duty,
and thus are considered causally related to the initial injury, as long as no intervening injury
occurred. (See paragraph 5 below.)
(2) The recurrence is for medical care only and the claim is still in open status.
FECA-PT2 Printed: 06/08/2010 643