What
to do if you have a recurrence
Recurrences are claimed by filling a
Form CA-2A, “Notice of Recurrence of
Disability.” Recurrence of disability
means an inability to continue working
after returning to work because of a
spontaneous change in the medical
condition which was previously accepted
as work related, and not by a change in
medical condition caused by new or
additional work place factors.
Recurrence can also mean an inability to
work as a result of a limited duty
assignment being withdrawn (except when
such withdrawn occurs for reasons of
misconduct, non-performance of job
duties or a reduction-in-force); or when
the physical requirements of such an
assignment are altered so that they
exceed the claimant’s established
physical restrictions.
Recurrence of medical condition means
that a claimant has a documented need
for further medical treatment for the
accepted conditions or injury, but the
claimant is still able to continue
working.
• If the return of symptoms is not
spontaneous, but is caused by an event
or series of events at work that occur
on a single work shift, then it would be
considered a “new” traumatic injury by
OWCP and a new Form CA-1 would be filed.
You would also be entitled to a full 45
days of COP.
• If the return of symptoms is caused by
a series of events that occur over more
than one work shift, then it would be
considered a “new” occupational injury
and a new CA-2 would be filed.
• It is possible that OWCP will combine,
or “double,” your new claim with your
previously accepted claim. If they do
this they will notify you of this fact
and tell you which file number to use.
• If you have an accepted claim, but no
OWCP benefits are claimed or paid during
a six-month period, then your claim may
be administratively closed by OWCP. This
does not mean that your claim has been
denied. If after your claim has been
closed due to 6 months or more of
inactivity, then Form CA-2A would be
used to re-open your claim. You would
note on the form that you are filling
the CA-2A for medical benefits so that a
medical bill, prescription drug bill, or
whatever OWCP benefit you are seeking,
can be paid.
The fact that OWCP may have
administratively closed your claim
should not by itself Automatically
terminate your USPS limited duty or
rehabilitation job.
