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U.S. Office of Personnel Management 

Guidelines: Post-Combat Case Coordinator 

Agency Responsibility 

The head of each Federal agency shall assign a point of contact to be called the “Post-Combat 

Case Coordinator” for employees who suffer “an injury or disability incurred, or an illness 

contracted, while in the performance of such employee's duties, as a result of a war-risk hazard 

or during or as a result of capture, detention, or other restraint by a hostile force or individual.” 

This requirement was established by section 1106 of the National Defense Authorization Act

(NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, Pub. L. 112-81 (Dec. 31, 2011), and codified in section 7906 of 

title 5, U.S. Code. 

The position of Post-Combat Case Coordinator was established because of potential challenges 

facing civilian employees who return from serving in troubled areas such as combat zones and 

who sustain injuries due to a war-risk hazard or due to an encounter with a hostile force. While 

some civilian employees face difficulties caused by their physical injuries, others may exhibit 

symptoms of medical and/or behavioral health conditions that impair their ability to seek help. 

Some may not be aware that programs exist to help them. Recognizing the importance of their 

war-risk hazardous assignments, Congress has required the establishment of a structured 

program for all qualified injured or ill civilian employees to assist them in receiving benefits to 

which they are entitled. 

Definitions 

Qualified employee. An employee who suffers an injury or disability incurred, or an illness 

contracted, while in the performance of his/her duties, as a result of a war-risk hazard or during 

or as a result of capture, detention, or other restraint by a hostile force or individual.

The following terms have the same meaning as those used in section 8101 of title 5, U.S. Code, 

for workers’ compensation: 

 Agency 

 Injury 

 War-risk hazard 

 Hostile force or individual 

Post-Combat Case Coordinator Responsibilities 

 Serve as main point of contact for qualified employees who seek administrative guidance 

or assistance related to benefits available under chapter 81 of title 5, U.S. Code 

(Compensation For Work Injuries) and chapter 89 of title 5 (Federal Employees Health 

Benefits Program/FEHBP) (hereafter referenced as chapters 81 and 89). 
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 Help qualified employees collect documentation or other supporting evidence to file 

claims under chapter 81 or 89. Documentation may include some or all of the following: 

pre-assignment health assessments; incidence report(s); and medical surveillance reports. 

 Assist qualified employees in connection with receipt of prescribed medical care and 

coordinate benefits to which they are entitled under chapter 81 or 89.

 Assist qualified employees in resolving problems they may encounter in receiving 

benefits under chapter 81 or 89. 

 Ensure that qualified employees are properly screened and receive appropriate treatment

for post-traumatic stress disorder or other similar disorder stemming from combat 

trauma: or for suicidal thoughts or behaviors or homicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Duration of Services 

The Post-Combat Case Coordinator (PCCC) shall provide services to qualified employees until 

one of the following events occurs: 

 The employee accepts or declines a reasonable offer of employment in a position in 

his/her current agency for which he/she is qualified. A reasonable offer is one not lower 

than two grades or pay levels below the employee's grade (or pay level) prior to the 

occurrence or onset of the injury, disability or illness and that is within the employee's 

commuting area; or

 The employee gives written notice, as required by the employing agency, that the

services of the PCCC are no longer desired or necessary.

Post-Combat Case Coordinator Qualifications 

 

OPM recommends that the agency's appointed PCCC work directly with the agency's OWCP 

Coordinator (or Injury Compensation Specialist). This individual should possess a strong 

background in and/or substantive knowledge of the OWCP claims process. OPM would also 

recommend that, whenever possible, the OWCP Coordinator serve as the agency's PCCC. If the 

OWCP Coordinator/Injury Compensation Specialist cannot serve in this capacity, agencies 

should ensure that the designated PCCC regularly communicates with the OWCP coordinator. 

Agencies that have a large number of staff employees assigned to war-risk hazard areas should 

consider training multiple employees to perform the duties of a PCCC. This will ensure that 

equal and adequate attention and competency is provided to all qualified employees, particularly

in situations when there are multiple casualties. 

The following areas of Federal human resources law and the appointing agency’s internal 

resources should be considered in implementing the PCCC function: 

 Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) - Many of the individuals who are 

qualified employees within the meaning of section 7906 will have incurred injuries 

requiring workers’ compensation claims with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of 

Workers’ Compensation (OWCP). When filing such claims, the burden of proof is on 

claimants to establish the essential elements of entitlement, so there is special concern 
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that qualified employees receive all necessary assistance to establish their claims. A 

timely determination from OWCP will expedite treatment and services for qualified 

employees. 

 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Each agency should identify how its own EAP 

personnel and/or contracted providers can offer appropriate assistance to qualified 

employees within the meaning of section 7906. 

 Work/Life Program - Each agency should identify how its own Work/Life personnel 

and/or contracted providers can offer appropriate assistance to qualified employees 

within the meaning of section 7906. 

Inter-Agency Cooperation with the U.S. Department of State 

Many agencies already utilize services provided by the U.S. Department of State through the 

International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) system for civilian 

employees deploying to and returning from overseas assignments. For any other agencies that 

do not currently use ICASS, we recommend contacting the U.S. Department of State for 

information and advice on how to address the medical and mental health needs of affected 

employees. The Office of Medical Services (OMS)/State has professional medical staff and a 

Deployment Stress Management Program that currently conducts Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 

screening and assessments pre- and post-deployment for eligible United States Government 

employees who have been on overseas assignments under Chief of Mission authority. 

Coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor 

The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq., administered by the 

Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, provides comprehensive 

workers' compensation coverage for deployed employees in areas where armed conflict may take 

place. Claims arising in war zones are handled by a special unit of claims examiners in the 

Division of Federal Employees' Compensation who have been trained to handle these cases. 

If a PCCC has questions on the process of initiating a claim with OWCP and/or how he or she 

may best assist an employee with submitting the medical and factual evidence required, please 

contact DOL’s Technical Assistance Branch at 202-692-0040. 

Some helpful information on related subject matter can be found using the following links: 

Department of Labor: Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) Regarding 

The Federal Employees Compensation Act and Deployed Employees: 

http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/DeployedEmployees.htm

OWCP Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation homepage: 

http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/index.htm 

Department of State – Deployment Stress Management Program 

http://www.state.gov/m/med/dsmp/index.htm 
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For additional information about this memorandum, please contact OPM’s Wen Fu, Program 

Analyst, at 202-606-0004 or Wenqiong.Fu@opm.gov.