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Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

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(2) The CE must evaluate the medical evidence in terms <strong>of</strong> any intervening injuries or<br />

newly acquired medical conditions as described on Form CA-2a. If the information provided<br />

with Form CA-2a is not sufficient to obtain a clear picture <strong>of</strong> the employee's activities and<br />

health during the period since release from medical care, the CE should request clarification<br />

or additional information as indicated.<br />

(3) As with recurrences <strong>of</strong> medical conditions within 90 days <strong>of</strong> release from care,<br />

additional medical support for the claim will be needed if an adjudicatory action has negated<br />

the original finding <strong>of</strong> causal relationship, or the original acceptance involved a temporary<br />

aggravation <strong>of</strong> a pre-existing condition.<br />

c. Recurrence Claims for Injuries in which a Destructive Surgery or Permanent Damage has<br />

been accepted. Destructive surgeries are normally not authorized except in cases <strong>of</strong> severe<br />

debilitating injury or disease, after all other medical and therapeutic options for relief have been<br />

exhausted. Permanent damage usually follows such procedures. If a recurrence be claimed<br />

following a destructive surgery that was approved or where permanent damage has been accepted,<br />

the claim can be adjudicated without significant development, regardless <strong>of</strong> the time that has<br />

elapsed since the return to work.<br />

2-1500-6 Recurrent Disability for Work Within 90 Days <strong>of</strong> Return to Duty<br />

6. Recurrent Disability for Work Within 90 Days <strong>of</strong> Return to Duty. The purpose <strong>of</strong> this paragraph is<br />

to describe the evidence needed to adjudicate claims for recurrence <strong>of</strong> disability for work filed shortly after<br />

return to light or full duty. Recurrences claimed due to withdrawal <strong>of</strong> light duty are addressed in<br />

paragraph 7a below.<br />

a. Burden <strong>of</strong> Pro<strong>of</strong>. The claimant is not required to produce the same evidence as for a<br />

recurrence claimed long after apparent recovery and return to work. Therefore, in cases where<br />

recurring disability for work is claimed within 90 days or less from the first return to duty, the focus<br />

is on disability rather than causal relationship.<br />

b. Disability for Work. Assuming that requirements described in paragraph 5 above concerning<br />

causal relationship are met, the CE should ask the employee to submit a Form OWCP-5 and/or a<br />

narrative statement from the attending physician which describes the duties which the employee<br />

cannot perform and the demonstrated objective medical findings that form the basis for renewed<br />

disability for work. The CE should obtain a copy <strong>of</strong> the employee's current position description if it<br />

is not already in file and consider assignment <strong>of</strong> a Field Nurse to the case.<br />

<strong>FECA</strong>-<strong>PT2</strong> Printed: 06/08/2010 646

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