United States Department of Labor

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

__________________________________________

E.F., Appellant

and

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, CLOVER POST 

OFFICE, Clovis, CA, Employer

__________________________________________

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Docket No. 23-0639

Issued: December 11, 2023

Appearances: Case Submitted on the Record

Appellant, pro se

Office of Solicitor, for the Director

ORDER REMANDING CASE

Before:

PATRICIA H. FITZGERALD, Deputy Chief Judge

VALERIE D. EVANS-HARRELL, Alternate Judge

JAMES D. McGINLEY, Alternate Judge

On March 28, 2023 appellant filed a timely appeal from a March 28, 2023 merit decision 

of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. The Clerk of the Appellate Boards assigned 

the appeal Docket No. 23-0639.

On January 10, 2023 appellant, then a 59-year-old unassigned regular (former city letter 

carrier), filed an occupational disease claim (Form CA-2) alleging that she developed migraines, 

panic and anxiety attacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to factors of 

her federal employment. She noted that she had three prior claims for the same conditions, and 

that a hostile and unsafe work environment in the office had caused exacerbation of those 

conditions.1 Appellant noted that she first became aware of her claimed conditions and realized 

1 Appellant previously filed a Form CA-2 alleging a stressful and harmful work environment, which OWCP 

adjudicated under OWCP File No. xxxxxx975. She further referenced a prior traumatic injury claim (Form CA-1) 

occurring while in the performance of duty on June4, 2019,resulting in migraine headaches, nausea, light and noise 

sensitivity, and extremity weakness, which OWCP adjudicated under OWCP File No. xxxxxx026. Appellant also 

filed a Form CA-2 alleging a negative and hostile work environment in the office resulting in migraines, panic and 

anxiety attacks, and depression, which OWCP adjudicated under OWCP File No. xxxxxx663. By decisions dated 

January 3 and July 26, 2019, and November 1, 2021, respectively, OWCP denied the claims. It administratively 

combined OWCP File Nos. xxxxxx975, xxxxxx026, and xxxxxx663, with the latter designated as the master file.
2

their relationship to her federal employment on November 11, 2021. She stopped work on 

July 28, 2022.

In a January 9, 2023 statement, appellant described feelings of anxiety, fear, and panic and 

sensitivity to noise, flashing lights, and environmental factors that she experienced while in the 

workplace since December 2016.

OWCP received various medical records detailing treatment that appellant received for a 

diagnosis of PTSD due to a history of sexual traumawhile serving in the military, and for migraines 

and emotional difficulties that she attributed to her work environment with the employing 

establishment. In a February 21, 2023 narrative report, Dr. James McClelland, a clinical 

psychologist, diagnosed appellant with PTSD and major depressive disorder, and indicated that 

workplace stressors had intensified the depressed mood and symptoms associated with her past 

military trauma. He recommended that she be permitted to work from home. 

By decision dated March 28, 2023, OWCP denied appellant’s claim, finding that the 

evidence of record was insufficient to establish a compensable employment factor. It concluded, 

therefore, that the requirements had not been met to establish an injury as defined by FECA.

The Board has duly considered the matter and finds that this case is not in posture for 

decision. 

OWCP’s procedures provide that cases should be combined when correct adjudication 

depends on cross-referencing between files and where two or more injuries occur to the same part 

of the body.2 As appellant’s claims under OWCP File Nos. xxxxxx975, xxxxxx026, and 

xxxxxx663 also alleged migraine headaches and emotional conditions due to her work 

environment, these claims shall be administratively combined with the present claim, OWCP File 

No. xxxxxx539, for a full and fair adjudication. This will allow OWCP to consider all relevant 

claim files and accompanying evidence in developing her claims.3

Following this and other such further development as deemed necessary, OWCP shall issue 

a de novo decision.4

2 Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual, Part 2 -- Claims, File Maintenance and Management, Chapter 2.400.8c 

(February 2000).

3 D.J., Docket No. 20-0997 (issued November 20, 2020); S.D., Docket No. 19-0590 (issued August 28, 2020).

4 M.B., Docket No. 20-0770 (issued January5, 2021); R.G., Docket No. 19-1755 (issued July7, 2020); L.M., Docket 

No. 19-1490 (issued January 29, 2020).
3

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the March 28, 2023 decision of the Office of 

Workers’ Compensation Programs is set aside and the case is remanded for further proceedings 

consistent with this order of the Board.

Issued: December 11, 2023

Washington, DC

Patricia H. Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

Valerie D. Evans-Harrell, Alternate Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

James D. McGinley, Alternate Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board