M.D. and Department of the Interior, National Park Service (Board decision, May 20, 2026)

ECAB final decision dismissing appeal. The Board granted the appellant's withdrawal request and dismissed the appeal without reviewing OWCP's decision. Under 20 C.F.R. § 501.6(d), this order becomes final 30 days after issuance. A party may petition the Board for reconsideration within 30 days unless this order specifies another period, under 20 C.F.R. § 501.7(a).

Plain-English summary

A National Park Service employee appealed an OWCP decision issued December 5, 2025. Before Board review, the employee asked to withdraw the appeal. The Board granted the request and dismissed the appeal without deciding the underlying claim.

Decision snapshot

• Authority: 20 C.F.R. §§ 501.3, 501.6(d), 501.7(a).
• Outcome: The appeal was dismissed at the appellant's request.
• Key point: A granted withdrawal ended the Board appeal without a merits ruling.

Full text (ECAB public release)

United States Department of Labor
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

________
)
M.D., Appellant
)
)
and ) Docket No. 26-0323
) Issued: May 20, 2026
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
)
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Beaumont, TX,
)
Employer
)
__________ )

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

ORDER DISMISSING APPEAL

Before:
PATRICIA H. FITZGERALD, Deputy Chief Judge JANICE B. ASKIN, Judge
VALERIE D. EVANS-HARRELL, Alternate Judge

On February 18, 2026 appellant filed a timely appeal from a December 5, 2025 merit decision of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The Clerk of the Appellate Boards docketed the appeal as No. 26-0323.

In a letter dated May 5, 2026, received by the Clerk of the Appellate Boards on May 12, 2026, appellant requested that the appeal be withdrawn.

The Board, having duly considered this matter, concludes that appellant’s request for the withdrawal of the appeal should be granted.1 Accordingly,

1
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).
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT appellant’s request for the withdrawal of the appeal is granted. The appeal docked as No. 26-0323 is dismissed.

Issued: May 20, 2026
Washington, DC

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

Janice B. Askin, Judge
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

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

2