G.M. and U.S. Postal Service, Processing and Distribution Center, Carol Stream (Board decision, August 14, 2025)

ECAB final decision. The Board dismissed docket 25-0683 for lack of a final adverse OWCP decision in the appeal period. A party may petition the Board for reconsideration within 30 days of issuance unless this order specifies another period, under 20 C.F.R. § 501.7(a). FECA compensation decisions are generally not subject to court review under 5 U.S.C. § 8128(b).

Plain-English summary

A postal worker appealed what he called a June 12, 2023 OWCP decision. The Board found the referenced document was an informational case status letter. No final adverse OWCP decision appeared in the record within the 180-day appeal window, so the Board dismissed the appeal without reaching the claim merits.

Decision snapshot

• Authority: Federal Employees' Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.; 20 C.F.R. §§ 501.2(c), 501.3.
• Outcome: Appeal dismissed for lack of an appealable decision.
• Key point: A case status letter did not confer Board jurisdiction.

Full text (ECAB public release)

United States Department of Labor
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

________
)
G.M., Appellant
)
)
and ) Docket No. 25-0683
)
Issued: August 14, 2025
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, PROCESSING & )
DISTRIBUTION CENTER, Carol Stream, IL, )
Employer
)
__________ )

Appearances: Case Submitted on the Record
Appellant, pro se
Office of Solicitor, for the Director

ORDER DISMISSING APPEAL

Before:
ALEC J. KOROMILAS, Chief Judge
PATRICIA H. FITZGERALD, Deputy Chief Judge VALERIE D. EVANS-HARRELL, Alternate Judge

On July 7, 2025 appellant filed an appeal from a purported June 12, 2023 decision of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The Clerk of the Appellate Boards assigned the appeal Docket No. 25-0683.

The Board, having duly considered this matter, notes that the Board has jurisdiction to review final adverse decisions of OWCP issued under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).1 This jurisdiction encompasses any final adverse decision issued by OWCP within 180 days of the date appellant filed the appeal.2 The case record as transmitted to the Board does not contain a final adverse decision of OWCP issued within 180 days from the date of docketing of the current appeal. 3 Because there is no final adverse decision issued by OWCP over which the

1
5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.; 20 C.F.R. §§ 501.2(c) and 501.3(a).
2
20 C.F.R. § 501.3(e) provides in pertinent part: “Any notice of appeal must be filed within 180 days from the date of issuance of a decision of the OWCP.” 3
20 C.F.R. § 501.3. The Board notes that the June 12, 2023 purported decision referenced by appellant is an informational letter advising him of his case status.
Board may properly exercise jurisdiction, the Board concludes that the appeal docketed as No. 25- 0683 must be dismissed. 4 Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the appeal docketed as No. 25-0683 is dismissed.

Issued: August 14, 2025
Washington, DC

Alec J. Koromilas, Chief Judge
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

Patricia H. Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Judge Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

Valerie D. Evans-Harrell, Alternate Judge Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

4
The Board’s decisions and orders are “final upon the expiration of 30 days from the date of their issuance.” 20 C.F.R. § 501.6(d).

2