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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E.M. and U.S. Postal Service, Fredonia Post Office
Board denies postal worker's hand and arm condition claim (ECAB 25-0572)
A Fredonia postal employee sought compensation for hand and arm nerve conditions. Testing identified carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, but the report did not explain whether work duties caused them. The Board found the medical causation evidence insufficient and upheld the denial.
S.P. and U.S. Postal Service, Berkeley Heights Post Office
Board declines to reopen postal worker's knee injury claim (ECAB 24-0802)
A Berkeley Heights postal carrier requested reconsideration of an earlier knee injury decision. The Board found her request did not identify a relevant legal error or provide new evidence that addressed the underlying issue. It upheld OWCP's refusal to reopen the claim.
P.O. and U.S. Postal Service, Lynbrook Post Office
Board upholds postal worker's $40,950.25 overpayment (ECAB 24-0699)
A Lynbrook postal worker received FECA wage loss benefits and Social Security retirement benefits tied to federal service without the required offset. The Board upheld a $40,950.25 overpayment, denied waiver, and approved $807.51 deductions every 28 days. It also upheld denial of a late…
Carmack v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.
Federal complaint treated as election to leave the administrative forum
Joseph Carmack alleged that Amtrak refused to rehire him in retaliation for safety concerns he had raised during earlier employment. While seeking an administrative hearing, he also filed a federal complaint that expressly included FRSA allegations and remedies. Carmack maintained that the FRSA…
C.V. and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Board declines to reopen immigration worker's hand claim (ECAB 25-0596)
A federal immigration employee sought reconsideration of a hand injury claim. Her lawyer argued OWCP should have processed a different claim form, but the Board found that argument did not address the missing medical causal link. The submitted reports were already in the record. It upheld OWCP's…
R.V. and U.S. Postal Service, North Texas Processing and Distribution Center
Board upholds postal worker's FECA benefit forfeiture (ECAB 25-0592)
A North Texas postal employee pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements on a FECA earnings report. The Board found the guilty plea triggered the statutory loss of compensation benefits for covered injuries from the date it was accepted. It upheld OWCP's July 22, 2024 termination…
T.S. and U.S. Postal Service, Ashland Post Office
Board returns postal carrier's foot claim for combined files (ECAB 25-0583)
An Ashland postal carrier linked a tendon condition to years of walking on uneven routes. He also had an accepted earlier left foot and leg injury in a separate file. The Board found OWCP needed to combine the overlapping records to review the new claim fully. It returned the case for a new…
D.T. and U.S. Postal Service, Hampton Park Post Office
Board upholds postal worker's unreported work forfeiture and debt (ECAB 25-0559)
A postal worker did not report outside employment while claiming disability compensation. The Board found she knowingly omitted that work from required forms, causing forfeiture of benefits for the covered period. It upheld the resulting $23,087.30 overpayment and fault finding, which barred waiver.
L.A. and U.S. Postal Service, Birmingham Post Office
Board returns postal carrier's total disability claim (ECAB 25-0476)
A Birmingham postal carrier sought total disability pay for a period after an accepted back injury. OWCP's examiner said he could not determine whether the injury disabled her during the claimed months. The Board found that speculative response did not complete OWCP's medical development. It…
Hall Trucking, Inc.
Rig-move struck-by violation affirmed
Hall Trucking moved oil and gas drilling-rig equipment with heavy trucks while ground workers, known as swampers, worked nearby. During a rig move near Epping, North Dakota, a newly hired swamper was fatally struck by a Hall flatbed truck backing through a congested area. The judge found that the…
Matter of Pascacio GONZALEZ JIMENEZ
Cancellation and voluntary departure denied
The Board reviewed the respondent's appeal from an Immigration Judge's denial of his applications for cancellation of removal and voluntary departure. The Board considered the respondent's family ties, long residence, employment, and the hardship that removal could cause his family, but found that…
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
In re Pacific Gas and Electric Company (EAB CAA Appeal No. 25-09C): accidental-release reporting settlement approved
Pacific Gas and Electric Company owns and operates a natural-gas distribution facility in San Jose, California. EPA alleged that a natural gas release on June 8, 2023, seriously injured one employee and was not reported directly to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board within the…
David M. Tilley v. Pinnacle Mining Company, LLC
Tilley v. Pinnacle Mining (BRB 24-0459 BLA): benefits award partly remanded
David M. Tilley pursued a subsequent black lung claim after an earlier denial. On remand, the administrative law judge found that he had at least 15 years of underground coal mine employment, a totally disabling respiratory impairment, legal pneumoconiosis, and an unrebutted Section 411(c)(4)…
Frank I. Blake v. Panther Creek Mining, LLC
Blake v. Panther Creek Mining (BRB 24-0457 BLA): black lung benefits award affirmed
Frank I. Blake pursued black lung benefits after more than 32 years of qualifying coal mine employment. The administrative law judge found a totally disabling respiratory impairment, invoked the Section 411(c)(4) presumption, and awarded benefits after finding that Panther Creek had not rebutted…
William D. Stroud v. Consol of Kentucky, Incorporated and Consol Energy, Incorporated
Stroud v. Consol of Kentucky (BRB 24-0274 BLA): black lung benefits award affirmed
William D. Stroud pursued black lung benefits after establishing at least 15 years of qualifying coal mine employment and a totally disabling respiratory impairment. The administrative law judge invoked the Section 411(c)(4) presumption and awarded benefits after finding that the employers had not…
Larry B. Wright v. Cumberland River Coal Company
Wright v. Cumberland River Coal (BRB 24-0259 BLA): black lung benefits award affirmed
Larry B. Wright pursued black lung benefits after establishing at least 15 years of qualifying coal mine employment and a totally disabling respiratory impairment. The administrative law judge invoked the Section 411(c)(4) presumption and awarded benefits after finding that Cumberland River Coal…
Bonita Collins v. Rockhouse Company, Incorporated
Collins v. Rockhouse Company (BRB 24-0194): fee award partly vacated and remanded
Counsel for Stanley E. Collins appealed a district director's attorney fee award in his black lung benefits claim. The district director denied payment for services connected to two earlier claims and awarded $7,825.00 in fees plus $89.96 in costs. The Board held that fees for work on unsuccessful…
Sandra Privett (on behalf of Garland C. Privett) v. U.S. Steel Mining Company Alabama, LLC
Privett v. U.S. Steel Mining (BRB 24-0188): black lung benefits award affirmed
Sandra Privett pursued black lung benefits on behalf of Garland Privett's estate after an administrative law judge awarded benefits. The judge accepted twenty years of qualifying coal mine employment, found a totally disabling respiratory or pulmonary impairment, invoked the Section 411(c)(4)…
Mugisa Collins v. SOC, LLC and Continental Insurance Company
Collins v. SOC (BRB 24-0054): psychological injury claim denied
Mugisa Collins worked as a security guard in Iraq and claimed a work-related psychological injury after experiencing nearby rocket attacks and other incidents. The administrative law judge found that the employer rebutted the statutory presumption that the injury was work-related, credited the…
Marjan Apostolovski v. DynCorp International, Incorporated
Apostolovski v. DynCorp (BRB 23-0487): psychological injury denial affirmed
Marjan Apostolovski worked in Afghanistan fueling helicopters and vehicles and working on signals, and claimed a work-related psychological injury after repeated grenade attacks and explosions. The administrative law judge found that the evidence initially invoked the work-relatedness presumption…
Billy L. Jones, Jr. v. Virginia International Terminals, Incorporated
Jones v. Virginia International Terminals (BRB 23-0485): shoulder claim remanded
Billy L. Jones, Jr. injured both shoulders and his neck while working as a hustler driver for Virginia International Terminals. The employer accepted the initial injuries and paid temporary disability and medical benefits, but the parties disputed whether his continuing left shoulder condition was…
L.R. and U.S. Postal Service, Wallingford Post Office
Board denies postal worker's wage loss and larger leg award (ECAB 25-0466)
A Wallingford postal worker sought disability pay starting April 2024 and more than her existing two percent left leg impairment award. The Board found the medical evidence did not establish work-related disability for that period or a higher permanent impairment rating. It upheld both denials.
C.J. and U.S. Postal Service, Energy Center Station
Board keeps postal worker's two percent arm awards (ECAB 25-0335)
A Lafayette postal employee sought higher permanent impairment ratings than the existing two percent for each arm. The Board found the medical ratings did not establish greater permanent impairment under the applicable guide. It upheld the award decision.
J.L. and Department of Defense, Defense Supply Agency
Board reverses defense worker's $24,615.75 retirement offset debt (ECAB 24-0218)
A former Defense Supply Agency worker was assessed a $24,615.75 debt for receiving FECA and Social Security retirement benefits together. The Board found the retirement offset rule applied only if she was covered by FERS, and the record did not establish that fact. It reversed the overpayment…
R.L. and U.S. Postal Service, Calistoga Post Office
Board returns postal worker's disability recurrence claim (ECAB 23-0653)
A Calistoga postal worker sought disability pay after an accepted injury, saying limited-duty work was no longer available. OWCP asked whether suitable work remained but did not obtain written confirmation from the employer. The Board found the factual record incomplete and ordered OWCP to develop…
C.S. and Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration
Board upholds aviation worker's $10,158.54 overpayment (ECAB 23-0587)
A federal aviation employee received FECA wage loss compensation and Social Security retirement benefits attributable to federal service without the required offset. The Board upheld a $10,158.54 overpayment and found her without fault. It also upheld denial of waiver and recovery through $200…
Secretary of Labor v. Peabody Southeast Mining, LLC
Longwall roof-control citation affirmed
MSHA cited Peabody after an unplanned roof fall and deteriorating supports affected the tailgate of the Shoal Creek Mine's J-2 longwall. The inspector observed crushed pumpable supports, fractured roof, and a roof fall blocking the tailgate, while examinations, air readings, and installation of…
Melbourne Woodward v. Manalapan Mining Company
Woodward v. Manalapan Mining (BRB 24-0440): black lung benefits award affirmed
Melbourne Woodward sought black lung benefits after twelve years of coal mine work. Because he did not meet the fifteen-year threshold for the statutory presumption, the administrative law judge evaluated the disease and disability evidence directly and awarded benefits. The Board upheld her…
Collins Ngabirano v. SOC, LLC and Continental Casualty Company
Ngabirano v. SOC (BRB 24-0032): psychological injury denial affirmed
Collins Ngabirano worked as a security guard in Iraq and claimed a psychological injury after rocket, mortar, and bomb attacks. The administrative law judge found that the claim initially qualified for the work-relatedness presumption but that the employer rebutted it with a neuropsychologist's…
W.C. and U.S. Postal Service, Weirton Post Office
Board declines to add postal worker's knee arthritis to injury claim (ECAB 25-0561)
A Weirton postal employee sought to add left knee arthritis and osteoarthritis to an accepted 2020 knee injury. Her doctor linked later imaging changes to the work event, but the Board found the explanation did not adequately establish causation or aggravation. It upheld OWCP's refusal to add those…
T.B. and U.S. Postal Service, Detroit Post Office
Board denies Detroit postal worker's injury claim (ECAB 25-0524)
A Detroit postal worker reported a work incident and later sought compensation for a medical condition. The Board found the reports lacked a firm diagnosis and a reasoned explanation linking a condition to the incident. It upheld OWCP's claim denial.
A.D. and U.S. Postal Service, Frederick Post Office
Board returns postal worker's stress claim for employer evidence (ECAB 24-0426)
A Frederick postal worker sought compensation for a work-related emotional condition. OWCP asked the postal employer about staffing and work demands but received no response before denying the claim. The Board found the factual development incomplete and returned the claim for a new decision.
F.V. and Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Board restores border worker's timely hearing request (ECAB 23-0387)
A customs employee requested review of the written record after an OWCP decision. The Board found the request was filed within the hearing deadline but had not been properly routed or indexed. It ordered OWCP to send it to the hearing branch for review and a new decision.
G.D. and U.S. Postal Service, Shirley Post Office
Board reverses postal worker's pay cut over job offer (ECAB 25-0578)
A Shirley postal employee declined a modified job offer, and OWCP reduced her wage loss pay under the rule for refusal of temporary light duty. The written offer did not say the job was temporary. The Board found OWCP had not proved the rule applied and reversed the reduction.
D.D. and U.S. Postal Service, Kansas City Main Post Office
Board returns postal worker's arm impairment claim for corrected rating (ECAB 25-0577)
A Kansas City postal worker sought higher ratings than 28 percent impairment of each arm. OWCP's examiner combined deficits using a single “C8T1” nerve label, but the rating guide treats C8 and T1 separately. The Board ordered the examiner to clarify the method before OWCP decides the award again.
J.L. and U.S. Postal Service, Hartford Post Office
Board declines to reopen Hartford postal worker's benefits case (ECAB 25-0557)
A Hartford postal worker sought reconsideration of an earlier benefits decision following a long-running injury claim. The Board found his submission did not establish a relevant legal error or add evidence requiring another merits review. It upheld OWCP's refusal to reopen.
G.C. and Department of Veterans Affairs, Upstate New York Healthcare System, Buffalo VA Medical Center
Board denies VA worker's brief wage loss and recurrence claims (ECAB 25-0513)
A VA employee sought pay for 1.5 hours of intermittent missed work and a later recurrence of disability from an accepted injury. The Board found the submitted records did not establish that the injury caused either claimed loss of work. It upheld both denials.
B.J. and U.S. Postal Service, Station B, Cleveland
Board returns postal carrier's disability claim under correct rule (ECAB 24-0514)
A Cleveland postal carrier stopped limited-duty work less than 90 days after returning from an accepted injury. OWCP developed her recurrence claim using the more demanding framework for a later recurrence. The Board found OWCP had applied the wrong development standard and returned the claim for a…
C.B. and Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Board returns prison worker's schedule award for combined back files (ECAB 25-0603)
A federal prison worker sought review of a schedule award while three overlapping lower back claims sat in separate files. The Board found the files needed to be combined so OWCP could consider all relevant medical evidence. It returned the award question for a new decision.
B.H. and U.S. Senate, Office of the Sergeant at Arms
Board upholds Senate worker's $6,844.61 insurance debt and award rulings (ECAB 25-0589)
A Senate employee received FECA compensation without deductions for optional life insurance premiums, creating a $6,844.61 overpayment. The Board upheld the debt, denied waiver, and approved $909.48 deductions every 28 days. It also rejected a larger schedule award, simultaneous award and wage loss…
P.F. and U.S. Postal Service, Mid-Island Processing and Distribution Center
Board upholds denial of postal worker's wrist surgery and therapy (ECAB 25-0570)
A postal employee sought approval for surgery on both wrists and additional therapeutic exercises and manual therapy. The Board found the submitted medical evidence did not establish that those treatments were necessary for the accepted work condition. It upheld the authorization denials.
K.B. and U.S. Postal Service, Pinson Post Office
Board returns postal worker's back recurrence claim for combined files (ECAB 25-0550)
A Pinson postal employee sought a disability recurrence after several back injury claims in separate OWCP files. The Board found the overlapping records needed to be combined before OWCP could fairly decide the recurrence issue. It returned the case for a new decision.
A.M. and U.S. Postal Service, Webb City Post Office
Board declines to expand postal worker's accepted conditions (ECAB 25-0537)
A Webb City postal carrier asked OWCP to add more conditions to an accepted injury claim. The Board found the medical reports did not adequately explain how the accepted work conditions caused or led to the requested diagnoses. It upheld the claim expansion denial.
D.G. and Department of the Army, 3rd Infantry Division Law Enforcement Command
Board dismisses Army worker's late appeal (ECAB 25-0618)
An Army law enforcement employee appealed an October 2024 OWCP decision in June 2025. The Board calculated that the 180-day filing period had ended April 15, 2025. The appeal arrived too late, so the Board dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction.
C.M. and U.S. Postal Service, Washington Post Office
Board dismisses postal worker's late appeal (ECAB 25-0605)
A Washington postal employee appealed a December 2023 OWCP decision on May 27, 2025. The Board found the 180-day appeal period had ended June 23, 2024. The employee did not document compelling circumstances for the delay, so the Board dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.
H.C. and Department of the Army, Fort Riley
Board dismisses Army worker's late appeal (ECAB 25-0604)
A Fort Riley employee appealed a March 2024 OWCP decision on May 27, 2025. The Board found the 180-day appeal period had ended September 9, 2024. The employee did not document compelling circumstances for the delay, so the Board dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.
M.H. and U.S. Postal Service, San Antonio Post Office
Board returns postal worker's disability recurrence claim (ECAB 25-0526)
A San Antonio postal employee stopped working after returning to limited duty following an accepted 2024 injury. She said the employer had no work within her medical restrictions, while the employer said work was available. The Board found that OWCP used the wrong recurrence standard for a claim…
C.M. and U.S. Postal Service, Hemet Post Office
Board denies postal worker's disability claim for foot condition (ECAB 24-0905)
A Hemet postal employee sought total disability pay for a period after OWCP accepted a bilateral foot condition. The Board found the medical record did not establish that the accepted plantar condition caused total disability during that period. Reports concerning other illnesses and emotional…
C.H. and U.S. Postal Service, Hagerstown Post Office
Board reissued remand for postal worker’s increased arm impairment claim (ECAB 23-0776)
A postal support employee with accepted bilateral arm and shoulder conditions sought an increase above earlier eight percent impairment awards for each arm. A separate claim concerning similar injuries from pulling a mail cage had not been combined with the present file before OWCP obtained its…
Secretary of Labor v. MDI Mining
Delayed assessment caused filing confusion
MDI Mining timely contested three enforcement actions in May 2024, but did not receive the related proposed penalty assessment until October. The assessment was dated July 9, which made it appear that the 30-day penalty-contest period had already expired and caused filing confusion. The Secretary…
Secretary of Labor v. North American Mining Company
Timely answer defeated default
A show-cause order was treated as a default after the Commission record appeared to contain no timely answer from North American Mining. The operator produced an electronic case-management confirmation showing that it had filed its answer four days after the show-cause order and well before the…
Atlantic Supply LLC
In re Atlantic Supply LLC (EAB CAA Appeal No. 25-08C): HFC-import settlement approved
Atlantic Supply LLC imported bulk hydrofluorocarbons through the Port of Charlotte Amalie in the U.S. Virgin Islands. EPA alleged that Atlantic Supply imported the regulated substances without expending the required allowances and failed to submit advance notification and quarterly reports for the…
DeVoe v. Premier Trucking LLC
Missed-deadline appeal reopened after reconsideration
Jon DeVoe sought review of the denial of his STAA complaint against Premier Trucking. The Board granted part of his requested extension but closed the matter when he missed the resulting June 9, 2025 deadline. DeVoe then submitted his petition and explained that he had not received the extension…
E.C. and Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Board denies park mechanic's knee injury claim (ECAB 25-0590)
A park maintenance mechanic reported that a mower jerked over a hidden hole and hurt his left knee. OWCP accepted the work incident, but the Board found the record did not contain competent medical evidence of a diagnosed condition connected to it. It upheld the claim denial.
D.C. and U.S. Postal Service, Boston Processing and Distribution Center
Board dismisses postal worker's appeal and reconsideration petition (ECAB 25-0586)
A Boston postal employee tried to appeal an old OWCP decision and a January 2025 Board decision. The old OWCP decision fell outside the 180-day appeal period, and the Board decision was not an OWCP decision subject to a new appeal. The Board also treated the submission as a possible reconsideration…
T.M. and Department of Justice, Federal Medical Center Carswell
Board returns prison teacher's hip and foot condition claim (ECAB 25-0527)
A teacher at a federal medical center sought compensation for right hip and foot osteoarthritis she attributed to her work. Her physician linked a permanent aggravation to her duties, while OWCP's examiner attributed the condition to other causes. The Board found a medical conflict and returned the…
K.M., widow of W.M., and U.S. Postal Service, Worcester Post Office
Board keeps postal worker's existing leg impairment awards (ECAB 25-0412)
A retired Worcester letter carrier's widow sought larger permanent impairment awards for his knees. The Board credited an impartial examiner's ratings of 26 percent right leg and 31 percent left leg impairment. It found the examiner's method sound and upheld OWCP's decision denying any increase.
E.H. and Department of Homeland Security, Federal Air Marshal Service
Board returns air marshal's hearing loss award claim (ECAB 24-0306)
An air marshal sought a hearing loss schedule award after years of firearms training. The medical examiner reviewed several hearing tests but did not consider later audiograms that OWCP received from the employer. The Board found the medical record incomplete and returned the claim for a full…
Matter of Gairat AKHMEDOV
Bond grant vacated and detention ordered
The Department of Homeland Security appealed an Immigration Judge's order releasing the respondent on a $15,000 bond. The Board held that discrepancies in the respondent's reported addresses, including his delayed change-of-address filing, supported a finding that he posed a flight risk. It also…
Secretary of Labor v. Rain-for-Rent
Truck fire-warning and extinguisher citations upheld
MSHA cited a Rain-for-Rent service truck at the Kemmerer Mine because it carried oil and flammable aerosol products without readily visible warnings against both smoking and open flames. MSHA also found that the truck's fire extinguisher had a torn inspection tag that did not show the date of its…
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.