How does the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) decide whether a federal employee's worker's compensation case can be accepted?

Some very simple cases with medical expenses below a set threshold are accepted automatically. In most cases, however, OWCP claims staff consider the factual and medical evidence sent by the employee and the employer. OWCP claims staff apply the law, the regulations, and the procedures to this factual and medical evidence. They also apply decisions of the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board and administrative decisions of OWCP as set forth in Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) Program Memoranda.