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Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

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e. Presentation. The claimant may <strong>of</strong>fer material in any manner desired. Written evidence<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered should be acknowledged and made a part <strong>of</strong> the record. During the presentation, the<br />

Hearing Representative should note any additional questions or areas for exploration and make<br />

appropriate inquiries before terminating the hearing.<br />

f. Conclusion. When all witnesses have spoken and the Hearing Representative has obtained<br />

all necessary clarifications, the Hearing Representative will close the proceedings by noting the<br />

time <strong>of</strong> completion. At the sole discretion <strong>of</strong> the Hearing Representative, the claimant may be<br />

granted up to 30 days after the hearing for the submission <strong>of</strong> additional evidence.<br />

2-1601-8 Reaching a Determination<br />

8. Reaching a Determination. In this paragraph, the actions taken after the hearing are described.<br />

a. Comments. The claimant and/or representative will be provided with a copy <strong>of</strong> the<br />

transcript. If requested, a copy <strong>of</strong> the transcript will also be forwarded to theemploying agency.<br />

The employing agency will be allowed 20 days from the release <strong>of</strong> the transcript to submit any<br />

comments and/or documents believed relevant to the issue in question (Exhibit 5). Any comments<br />

or documents submitted by the agency will be forwarded to the claimant or his representative with<br />

the opportunity to submit written comments within 20 days (Exhibit 6).<br />

b. Further Development. If additional development is needed, the case will usually be<br />

remanded to the DO. However, if the issue can be resolved readily, the Hearing Representative<br />

will undertake the additional development and incorporate the results into the decision.<br />

c. Schedule Awards. OWCP adopted the Third Edition <strong>of</strong> the AMA Guides to the Evaluation <strong>of</strong><br />

Permanent Impairment effective March 8, 1989; the revised Third Edition <strong>of</strong> the Guides effective<br />

September 1, 1991; the Fourth Edition effective November 1, 1993; the Fifth Edition effective<br />

February 1, 2001; and the Sixth Edition effective May 1, 2009. Any recalculations <strong>of</strong> previous<br />

awards which result from Hearings and Review decisions issued on or after May 1, 2009, should be<br />

based on the Sixth Edition <strong>of</strong> the Guides. However, if the percentage <strong>of</strong> the award is affirmed but<br />

the case is remanded for further development <strong>of</strong> some other issue, e.g. pay rate, recalculation <strong>of</strong><br />

the percentage <strong>of</strong> the award under the Sixth Edition is not required. Should the later calculation<br />

result in a percentage impairment lower than the original award (as sometimes occurs), a finding<br />

should be made that the claimant has no more than the percentage <strong>of</strong> impairment originally<br />

awarded, that the evidence does not establish an increased impairment, and that the Office has no<br />

basis for declaring an overpayment.<br />

d. Novel Issues. If the hearing decision will involve a novel issue or suggest a new policy, the<br />

Hearing Representative will prepare a memorandum requesting review by the Director for Federal<br />

Employees’ Compensation.<br />

e. Final Decision. When all evidence and testimony has been evaluated, the Hearing<br />

Representative will issue a decision which affirms, reverses, remands, or modifies the DO decision.<br />

If the issuance <strong>of</strong> a subpoena was in question, the final decision should include formal findings on<br />

this matter. If the decision is adverse to the claimant, the claimant's further appeal rights will be<br />

noted. If further benefits will be payable, Form CA-1009 will be included with the decision to<br />

advise the claimant how to claim compensation and submit medical bills.<br />

<strong>FECA</strong>-<strong>PT2</strong> Printed: 06/08/2010 662

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