Federal Agency Decisions
Federal workers' compensation appeals from the Department of Labor's Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB), federal-sector labor-relations cases from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), mine-safety cases from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC), workplace-safety cases from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), Longshore Act and Black Lung Benefits Act appeals from the Department of Labor's Benefits Review Board (BRB), precedent decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), environmental permit and penalty appeals from the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB), and whistleblower and other labor appeals from the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board (ARB), each with a plain-English summary, the law it cites, and whether it counts as precedent. More agencies are coming.
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Matter of J-E-L-
CAT deferral vacated
The respondent, a Mexican citizen, sought protection under the Convention Against Torture based on threats, shootings, and a kidnapping in Mexico after he had worked with United States authorities. The Immigration Judge granted CAT deferral, but the Board held that the record did not show a clear…
S.Q. and Department of the Navy
Board rejects claimed toe injury after unclear work incident (ECAB 26-0213)
A Navy engineering technician reported a blister and toe infection that he attributed to walking at work on April 1, 2025. The Board found that the evidence did not adequately establish a specific traumatic incident in the performance of duty as alleged. It affirmed OWCP's denial.
L.S. and U.S. Postal Service
Board rejects addition of shoulder condition to old injury claim (ECAB 26-0181)
A postal carrier sought to add a right shoulder condition to an accepted February 2011 injury claim. The Board found that the medical record did not establish that the shoulder condition was caused by or consequential to the earlier injury. It affirmed OWCP's refusal to expand the claim.
S.S. and Department of Homeland Security
Board rejects thumb ligament claim expansion (ECAB 26-0144)
A Homeland Security worker sought to add ligament tears in both thumbs to an accepted 2005 injury claim. The Board reviewed medical evidence developed after conflicting opinions and found that it did not establish the tears as related to the accepted injury. It affirmed OWCP's denial of expansion.
C.J. and Department of Agriculture
Board upholds denial of nonformulary sleep medicine (ECAB 24-0058)
An Agriculture employee sought authorization for Zolpidem ER outside the FECA drug formulary's dosage and supply limits. The prescriber submitted a prior authorization request, which the pharmacy benefit manager denied because the dosage exceeded guidelines. A pharmacist later raised safety…
M.M. and Department of Veterans Affairs
Board upholds existing 23 percent right-ear award (ECAB 26-0247)
A Veterans Affairs nurse sought a higher schedule award for right-ear hearing loss after an accepted workplace injury. The Board reviewed the audiology and impairment calculations and found that the evidence did not establish more than the 23 percent right-ear loss already awarded. It affirmed…
L.J. and Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Board returns shoulder impairment claim for complete measurements (ECAB 26-0209)
A Bureau of Prisons employee sought an impairment rating above the 12 percent left-arm award already received. The Board found that the medical adviser had used range-of-motion data without the complete repeated measurements required for a proper rating. It directed OWCP to develop the medical…
K.N. and U.S. Postal Service, Oklahoma City Post Office
Board upholds shoulder claim denial and refusal to reopen (ECAB 26-0114)
A postal mail handler attributed a right shoulder condition to accepted work factors. The Board found that the medical evidence did not adequately establish the required causal connection. It also upheld OWCP's refusal to reopen the claim because the reconsideration submission did not meet the…
R.A. and U.S. Postal Service
Board upholds termination and rejects further back conditions (ECAB 26-0062)
A postal worker received benefits for an accepted 2019 lower-back strain. The Board found that OWCP's medical evidence supported terminating wage-loss and medical benefits effective March 30, 2023. It also found that later evidence did not establish continuing disability or link additional lumbar…
ConforMatic Inc.
In re ConforMatic Inc. (EAB CAA Appeal No. 26-05C): bulk HFC-import settlement approved
ConforMatic Inc. is an air-conditioning services company headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. EPA alleged that ConforMatic imported about 33,662 kilograms of bulk hydrofluorocarbons in 2022 without first expending required allowances, obtaining a non-objection notice, or filing the required…
Eagle Safe Surfaces Colorado Inc. DBA Eagle & Myslik Inc.
In re Eagle Safe Surfaces Colorado Inc. DBA Eagle & Myslik Inc. (EAB CAA Appeal No. 26-04C): uncertified nonroad-engine settlement approved
Eagle Safe Surfaces Colorado Inc. DBA Eagle & Myslik Inc. imports and sells nonroad vehicles, including airport runway snow-removal plows and sweepers. EPA alleged that the company imported 28 new, compression-ignition nonroad engines from 2022 through 2025 without certificates of conformity or an…
Lowell Spaulding v. Excel Mining, LLC
Spaulding v. Excel Mining (BRB 25-0123): Black lung benefits denial affirmed
Lowell Spaulding worked underground in coal mines for thirty-eight years and sought black lung benefits. The judge found that the evidence did not establish complicated pneumoconiosis or a totally disabling breathing impairment, and denied benefits. Spaulding challenged the finding about…
J.C. and U.S. Postal Service
Board orders further medical review of knee injury claim (ECAB 26-0235)
A postal carrier claimed that an accepted July 2024 incident aggravated preexisting left knee arthritis. A physician's later report described a possible mechanism but did not fully establish causation. The Board found it substantial enough to require a new specialist opinion and returned the claim…
J.S. and Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Penitentiary Canaan
Board orders related neck injury files combined (ECAB 26-0225)
A correctional officer sought wage-loss benefits after an accepted injury involving her neck and other body parts. Earlier claims also involved cervical conditions, but OWCP had not combined their files before deciding the disability request. The Board directed OWCP to combine the related claims…
Matter of Manuel Dejesus MARTINEZ-RODRIGUEZ
Bond order vacated for danger to the community
The Board reviewed DHS's appeal from an Immigration Judge's order releasing the respondent from detention on a $15,000 bond. The respondent had been arrested for vandalism, domestic violence, and aggravated burglary, and later pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. The Board held that the nature and…
Matter of Angel Damian OROZCO BECERRA and Matter of Neythan OROZCO BECERRA
Matter of OROZCO BECERRA (BIA ID 4189): in absentia proceedings reinstated
The two respondents, minors and citizens of Mexico, did not appear for scheduled removal hearings after notices were served on their mother. The Immigration Judge administratively closed their proceedings instead of entering in absentia removal orders, reasoning that the minors should not be held…
Edward C. Tomasik v. Consol Energy, Incorporated
Tomasik v. Consol Energy (BRB 25-0148): Disability evidence returned to the judge
Edward Tomasik sought black lung benefits after twenty-six years of coal mine work. On his second request to change an earlier denial, the judge again found that he had legal pneumoconiosis but had not shown a totally disabling breathing impairment. The Board held that the judge had not considered…
F.B. and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Board upholds refusal to reopen after late reconsideration request (ECAB 26-0233)
A Customs and Border Protection officer sought reconsideration of a denied hand injury claim after the one-year period following OWCP's last merit decision. The Board found the request untimely and found no clear evidence of error requiring reopening. It affirmed OWCP's nonmerit denial.
K.K. and U.S. Postal Service, Adelphi Station
Board orders prior neck and back claims combined (ECAB 26-0224)
A postal carrier claimed neck and back injuries after reaching for a mail tray. OWCP denied the claim without combining two earlier claims involving the same body regions, leaving the Board unable to review the full record. The Board directed OWCP to combine the files and issue a new decision.
D.S. and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Board returns hip arthritis claim for more medical development (ECAB 26-0112)
A Customs and Border Protection officer attributed osteoarthritis in both hips to her work duties. A physician described how those duties could have hastened the condition, but the record was not ready for a final causation ruling. The Board directed OWCP to develop the medical evidence further and…
S.W. and U.S. Postal Service
Board rejects emotional condition claim and reopening request (ECAB 26-0106)
A postal worker attributed an emotional condition to workplace management and administrative actions. The Board found that the allegations did not establish a compensable employment factor under FECA. It also upheld OWCP's refusal to reopen the claim because the reconsideration submission did not…
M.P. and Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service
Board reverses benefits termination after uncombined dog-bite claims (ECAB 25-0796)
A federal officer received benefits for hand injuries from a work-related dog bite. OWCP terminated benefits after relying on a medical opinion obtained without combining an earlier claim involving similar hand and forearm injuries. The Board found that this incomplete record did not meet OWCP's…
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
In re Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (EAB NPDES Appeal No. 26-01): petition dismissed as moot
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority was the holder of NPDES Permit No. NM0022250. After the petition for review was filed, EPA Region 6 notified the EAB that it was withdrawing the permit in its entirety under 40 C.F.R. § 124.19(j). Because the permit withdrawal eliminated the…
Matter of Albert D. MILLS
Cancellation of removal vacated after criminal history outweighed equities
The Board reviewed the Department of Homeland Security's appeal from an Immigration Judge's grant of cancellation of removal to a Canadian lawful permanent resident. The respondent had long-term residence, family ties, employment, tax compliance, and health concerns, but also convictions for stolen…
L.D. and U.S. Postal Service
Board rejects emotional condition claim involving supervisor (ECAB 26-0250)
A postal carrier attributed stress and physical symptoms to an October 2025 interaction with a supervisor. The Board reviewed the reported events and found that she had not established a compensable employment factor causing an emotional condition in the performance of duty. It affirmed OWCP's…
K.P. and U.S. Postal Service
Board upholds injury denial and late hearing ruling (ECAB 26-0223)
A postal worker attributed neck and back pain to driving and turning while delivering mail. The Board found the evidence did not establish the claimed specific traumatic incident in the performance of duty. It also held that his request for written-record review came after the 30-day deadline and…
D.S. and U.S. Postal Service
Board orders independent medical review of PTSD claim (ECAB 26-0198)
A postal carrier sought to add post-traumatic stress disorder to a claim after a work-related vehicle collision. His treating providers linked the condition to workplace crashes, while an OWCP second opinion disagreed. The Board found a conflict in medical opinion and directed OWCP to obtain an…
United States Department of the Navy, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services, Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey and International Association of Firefighters, Local F-147
Naval Weapons Station Earle and IAFF Local F-147 (FLRA 0-AR-6049): Authority upholds controlled-burn contracting bar
The Navy planned to obtain prescribed-burn services from state or local entities at Naval Weapons Station Earle. An arbitrator found that controlled burns were firefighting functions within a contract provision incorporating 10 U.S.C. § 2465 and ordered the Navy not to contract out the work. The…
Matter of Yujing SHENTU
Bond release vacated
The respondent, a Chinese citizen, was detained during removal proceedings and released by an Immigration Judge on a $7,500 bond. DHS appealed, relying in part on an FBI letterhead memorandum stating that the respondent was the subject of an active national security investigation. The Board held…
Donald G. Nelson v. Lowlands Coal Corporation
Nelson v. Lowlands Coal (BRB 25-0155): Mine work years must be recalculated
Donald Nelson sought black lung benefits and had already established a totally disabling breathing impairment. On remand from an earlier appeal, the judge counted fewer than fifteen years of qualifying coal mine work and denied benefits. The Board vacated that finding because a new court ruling…
Stanley Jarzombek v. United Riverhead Terminal Incorporated
Jarzombek v. United Riverhead Terminal (BRB 24-0328): Disability award dates corrected
Stanley Jarzombek injured his back while working as a terminal and boiler room operator for United Riverhead Terminal. The employer challenged an award of total disability benefits, arguing that he could work and that his condition had not become permanent. The Board upheld the judge's finding that…
K.C. and U.S. Postal Service, Cedar City Post Office
Board dismisses appeal filed beyond 180-day period (ECAB 26-0429)
A postal worker appealed an OWCP decision issued September 17, 2025. The 180-day Board appeal period expired March 16, 2026, but the worker filed on April 8. The Board found no basis to exercise jurisdiction and dismissed the appeal.
D.F. and U.S. Postal Service
Board orders impartial review of consequential knee injury (ECAB 26-0058)
A postal worker sought to add a left knee meniscus tear as a consequence of an accepted right knee injury. Her physician and OWCP's second opinion disagreed about whether altered walking and a later fall caused the left knee condition. The Board found a medical opinion conflict and directed OWCP to…
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Washington, D.C. and Independent Union of Pension Employees for Democracy and Justice
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and IUPEDJ (FLRA WA-CA-21-0018): Authority dismisses arbitration-panel complaints
The Independent Union of Pension Employees for Democracy and Justice alleged that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation stopped following agreed procedures for filling an arbitration panel. An administrative law judge found that the agency's delays reflected compliance-related confusion and a…
Matter of Catalina SANTIAGO-SANTIAGO
Matter of SANTIAGO-SANTIAGO (BIA ID 4186): DACA termination decision remanded
The respondent, a DACA recipient in removal proceedings, moved to terminate her case without prejudice. The Immigration Judge granted the motion based only on the fact that her DACA had not been terminated, without considering DHS's opposition or the reasons for seeking termination. The Board held…
Innocent Tumusiime v. Triple Canopy, Incorporated
Tumusiime v. Triple Canopy (BRB 24-0299): Medical opinions require another review
Innocent Tumusiime sought benefits for an alleged psychological injury after working as an armed security guard for Triple Canopy in Iraq. The judge found that the employer rebutted the work injury presumption and then denied benefits after favoring the employer's medical expert. The Board found…
Kathy Graham v. DynCorp International
Graham v. DynCorp (BRB 24-0249): Employer-paid attorney fees denied
Kathy Graham sought to have DynCorp pay her attorney fees after a dispute over benefits for a work injury. Both the judge and the district director denied the fee requests. The Board affirmed because the attorney's work on a proposed credit for earlier settlements did not produce a greater award…
J.W. and U.S. Postal Service
Board orders new opinion on claim expansion and disability (ECAB 26-0141)
A postal worker sought to add conditions to an accepted injury claim and receive disability benefits. OWCP's second opinion used uncertain language about whether the injury aggravated earlier conditions and caused continuing disability. The Board found that opinion inadequate and directed OWCP to…
J.S. and U.S. Postal Service
Board upholds insurance-premium overpayment recovery (ECAB 25-0558)
A postal worker's schedule award payments did not include proper deductions for health and life insurance premiums. The Board upheld a $11,197.22 overpayment for November 2023 through October 2024, although the worker was without fault. It also affirmed denial of waiver and recovery through $270.65…
Secretary of Labor v. Material Sand & Stone Corp.
Two unexplained defaults left in place
Material Sand & Stone defaulted in two penalty cases after failing to answer the Secretary's petitions and the Commission's orders to show cause. The company generally asserted that it had not received some petitions or show-cause orders during an MSHA personnel change, and in one case said it…
Martin D. Holstein v. Southern Appalachian Coal Company
Holstein v. Southern Appalachian Coal (BRB 24-0334): Black lung benefits award affirmed
Martin Holstein received black lung benefits after the judge found that coal mine dust exposure contributed to his disabling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The employer challenged the claim's timeliness, its responsibility for payment, and the medical findings. The Board affirmed the award…
E.L. and Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration
Board grants withdrawal to pursue OWCP reconsideration (ECAB 26-0218)
A Federal Aviation Administration employee appealed an OWCP decision but later asked to withdraw the appeal so he could seek reconsideration before OWCP. The Board granted the request and dismissed its case without deciding the underlying compensation issue.
B.S. and U.S. Postal Service
Board narrows earnings forfeiture and returns overpayment calculation (ECAB 23-0393)
A worker's failure to report employment earnings led OWCP to forfeit several years of FECA compensation and declare an overpayment. The Board upheld forfeiture for April 24, 2019 through July 25, 2022, but rejected forfeiture for the periods immediately before and after that span. It upheld an…
Justus Karakire v. SOC, LCC
Karakire v. SOC (BRB 24-0320): Psychological and hearing loss claims denied
Justus Karakire sought benefits for alleged psychological injury and hearing loss after working as a security guard for SOC in Iraq. The judge found that he invoked the work injury presumption for both conditions, but that the employer rebutted it. After weighing the evidence, the judge found…
O'Bryan Composting, LLC
Default order vacated and appeal dismissed
O'Bryan Composting, LLC appealed an ALJ default decision concerning alleged H-2A violations and $8,541 in civil money penalties. The default decision followed the company's failure to comply with discovery obligations and related orders. The parties later agreed to a stipulated dismissal, with the…
L.W. and Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command
Board orders emotional condition and prior injury files combined (ECAB 26-0265)
An Air Force worker sought coverage for depression associated with workplace events and a prior accepted injury. OWCP considered the new claim without combining its file with the earlier injury file. The Board directed OWCP to combine them so it could review the full record before deciding the…
A.R. and U.S. Postal Service
Board returns stress and heart claim under proper claim type (ECAB 26-0132)
A postal carrier reported heart and stress conditions associated with workload and other events over time, although she filed a traumatic injury form. The Board found that the described facts called for development as an occupational disease claim. It directed OWCP to apply the proper claim type…
M.W. and Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Board reverses termination of back injury benefits (ECAB 26-0111)
A Forest Service worker had received benefits for a long-standing accepted back injury. OWCP ended wage-loss compensation and medical benefits after a second opinion, but the Board found the opinion insufficient to meet OWCP's burden to show the accepted injury no longer caused disability or…
J.D. and Department of the Army, Anniston Army Depot
Board rejects renewed disability claim (ECAB 25-0884)
An Army employee sought compensation for a recurrence of disability beginning April 4, 2018 after an accepted injury. The Board reviewed the medical reports and found they did not adequately establish that the later inability to work was caused by the accepted condition. It affirmed OWCP's denial.
Matter of Erlin Orande Ahinsha RICHARDS
Cancellation denial upheld for lack of candor
The Board reviewed a lawful permanent resident's appeal from the denial of his application for cancellation of removal. The respondent, a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had long-term residence, family ties, employment, and potential hardship to his children, but he was not candid…
Matter of D-G-E-A- & N-G-G-E-
Appeal dismissed and relief denied
The respondents, a Salvadoran mother and her minor child, sought asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture based on threats from the mother's husband and gang members. The Board held that general opposition to criminal gangs does not establish a political…
Secretary of Labor v. Cactus Canyon Quarries, Inc.
Stone-processing plant held subject to MSHA
Cactus Canyon challenged MSHA's authority over its Fairland Plant, a surface facility that washes, sorts, crushes, sizes, and roasts stone for terrazzo flooring. The Commission held that those activities constitute milling, so the facility is a mine under the Mine Act even though most stone is…
Mitchell D. Holbrook v. Consol of Kentucky, Incorporated
Holbrook v. Consol of Kentucky (BRB 25-0182): Black lung award affirmed
Mitchell Holbrook sought black lung benefits after twenty-nine years of qualifying coal mine work. The judge found that a medical opinion supported total respiratory disability despite nonqualifying objective tests, which let Holbrook invoke the fifteen-year presumption. The employer challenged…
Jerry R. Stockdill v. Carpentertown Coal & Coke Company
Stockdill v. Carpentertown Coal & Coke (BRB 25-0142): Complicated pneumoconiosis evidence remanded
Jerry Stockdill sought black lung benefits after eighteen years of underground coal mine work. Following an earlier Board remand, the judge again found that he had not proved complicated pneumoconiosis and denied benefits. The Board held that the judge did not explain why positive CT scan evidence…
Douglas M. Erwin v. Rockhouse Creek Development Corporation
Erwin v. Rockhouse Creek (BRB 25-0110): Lung evidence returned for further review
Douglas Erwin sought black lung benefits after thirty-five years of qualifying coal mine work. The judge denied his claim after finding no complicated pneumoconiosis or totally disabling breathing impairment. The Board held that the judge had not adequately considered treatment CT scans and…
S.B. and U.S. Postal Service
Board upholds wrist claim denial and refusal to reopen (ECAB 26-0230)
A postal worker reported a left wrist condition after an accepted August 29, 2025 incident. The submitted diagnosis came from nurse practitioner records that did not provide the physician evidence required for a FECA medical diagnosis. The Board upheld the claim denial and OWCP's refusal to reopen…
D.A. and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Board rejects claimed disability period after ankle injury (ECAB 26-0214)
A postal worker sought disability compensation for May 14 through 31, 2025 after an accepted left ankle strain. Her physicians discussed recovery and work ability, but the Board found the reports did not establish that the accepted condition prevented work during the claimed period. It affirmed…
J.C. and U.S. Postal Service
Board upholds heat claim denial and late review ruling (ECAB 26-0204)
A postal carrier reported feeling overheated and lightheaded while working on a route. The Board found that the medical evidence did not establish a compensable condition caused by the accepted June 21, 2025 incident. It also upheld OWCP's denial of a request for written-record review filed after…
Secretary of Labor v. Cactus Canyon Quarries, Inc.
Electrical citations and MSHA jurisdiction affirmed
MSHA cited three electrical conditions at Cactus Canyon's Fairland Plant, which crushes and sizes stone for terrazzo flooring. The company argued that the facility was outside Mine Act jurisdiction because extraction did not occur on or near the site. The Commission held that crushing and sizing…
Mohammad Fahim v. Environmental Chemical Corporation
Fahim v. Environmental Chemical Corporation (BRB 24-0330): Psychological injury claim denial affirmed
Mohammad Fahim sought benefits for an alleged psychological injury after working as a security assistant coordinator in Afghanistan. The judge found that Fahim had invoked the Longshore Act's work injury presumption, but that a psychologist's opinion that he had no psychological condition rebutted…
What these documents are
- The agencies: Federal workers' compensation appeals from the Department of Labor's Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB), federal-sector labor-relations cases from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), mine-safety cases from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC), workplace-safety cases from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), Longshore Act and Black Lung Benefits Act appeals from the Department of Labor's Benefits Review Board (BRB), precedent decisions of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), environmental permit and penalty appeals from the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB), and whistleblower and other labor appeals from the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board (ARB). Each decision page names its agency.
- Commission, Board and Authority decisions: Rulings by the agency's highest review level (the Commission at OSHRC and FMSHRC, the Authority at FLRA, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Administrative Review Board at Labor, and the Environmental Appeals Board at EPA). These are citable as precedent, though a decision may have been appealed to a U.S. Court of Appeals after issuance.
- ALJ decisions: Rulings by the agency's Administrative Law Judges after a hearing. When no Commissioner directs review, an ALJ decision becomes a final order that binds the parties in that case but is not binding precedent: under 29 U.S.C. § 661(j) at OSHRC, and after the 40-day window of 30 U.S.C. § 823(d)(1) at FMSHRC.
- Why finality matters: Every page here says which kind of decision you are reading, so you know whether it is precedent you can cite or a final order that only shows how one judge ruled on one set of facts.
- Where they come from: Every page links the official public release from the deciding agency, and the full text on the page is that release. The plain-English summaries are written by Ezel.