OWCP Form CA-2a is used to report a recurrence of disability or a renewed need for medical treatment related to an accepted federal work injury after the employee returned to work or was released from care. It should not be used when a new work event, new exposure, or new occupational disease caused the condition; those circumstances generally call for Form CA-1 or CA-2.
What is OWCP Form CA-2a?
Form CA-2a is the U.S. Department of Labor's Notice of Recurrence. It connects a later period of disability or renewed treatment need to an earlier accepted Federal Employees' Compensation Act claim.
Under 20 CFR 10.104 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-B), CA-2a should be used when a recurrence causes wage loss or when treatment becomes necessary again after the employee had been released from care. The employee must provide a detailed factual statement and arrange for a detailed report from the attending physician.
CA-2a does not automatically reopen benefits or prove that the later problem is related to the original injury. The employee carries the burden of supporting that connection with reliable factual and medical evidence.
Recurrence of disability versus recurrence of a medical condition
Recurrence of disability
A recurrence of disability means the employee cannot work after returning to work because the accepted condition changed spontaneously, without an intervening injury or new workplace exposure. It can also occur when a light-duty assignment created around the accepted restrictions is withdrawn or changed so that its physical demands exceed those restrictions.
The definition has limits. A light-duty job eliminated because of misconduct, poor performance, or downsizing does not by itself establish a recurrence of disability. A recurrence claim is also generally unavailable when OWCP has issued a formal loss-of-wage-earning-capacity determination; 20 CFR 10.104 directs the employee to request modification of that determination instead, subject to limited exceptions.
Recurrence of a medical condition
A recurrence of a medical condition means a documented need for more treatment after the employee had been released from treatment for the accepted condition, without a new work stoppage. Continuous care for the original injury is not a recurrence, and an examination without treatment is not enough. These definitions come from 20 CFR 10.5 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRcfe02f1155bb37e/section-10.5).
When CA-2a is the right form
- An employee returned to regular or modified work, then the accepted condition worsened spontaneously and again caused disability.
- A light-duty assignment was withdrawn or physically changed so it no longer fit the established injury-related restrictions.
- The employee had been released from treatment for the accepted condition and later needed treatment again, without a new incident.
- The employee returned to work before using all available continuation of pay and a qualifying recurrence of disability began within the applicable period.
The facts matter more than the label. A return of symptoms does not necessarily mean a recurrence under FECA.
When to file CA-1 or CA-2 instead
Do not use CA-2a if a new event or exposure contributed to the problem. Use Form CA-1 when a new traumatic injury occurred during one workday or shift. Use Form CA-2 when new or continued workplace exposure over more than one workday caused or aggravated an occupational condition.
For example, pain that returns spontaneously after an accepted injury may support a recurrence analysis. Pain that follows a new fall, lift, collision, repetitive assignment, or other new work factor may require a new claim. 20 CFR 10.104 expressly says a recurrence notice should not be filed for a new injury, new occupational disease, or new event contributing to an existing occupational disease.
NuThera's CA-1 versus CA-2 guide (https://nuthera.us/blog/owcp-ca-1-vs-ca-2-how-to-file) explains how those two claim types differ.
What evidence should accompany a recurrence claim?
A detailed factual statement
The employee's statement should give OWCP a clear timeline. The employing agency may comment on the statement, so dates, duties, and work-status records should be consistent.
- The accepted claim number and accepted condition.
- The date the employee returned to work or was released from treatment.
- The regular or modified duties performed after returning.
- The date disability or the renewed treatment need began.
- What changed medically and whether any new incident or exposure occurred.
- Dates of work stoppage, reduced hours, or renewed treatment.
- Any change to a light-duty assignment and how it compared with established restrictions.
A detailed attending-physician report
The physician's report should use an accurate factual and medical history and explain, with medical reasoning, why the current disability or treatment need is connected to the accepted injury. A conclusion without an explanation may not satisfy OWCP's evidentiary standard.
Useful components include examination dates, current findings, diagnosis, treatment plan, work capacity, restrictions, prognosis, and a reasoned explanation of causal relationship. If the employee received examinations or treatment after returning to work, 20 CFR 10.104 directs the employee to submit or arrange for similar medical reports from those visits.
How to submit Form CA-2a
The current Department of Labor FECA forms page (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/forms) lists a fillable CA-2a. The January 2024 form instructions direct a current federal employee to complete Parts A and B and submit the form to the employing agency. A person who no longer works for the federal government completes Parts A and C and submits the materials directly to OWCP.
Follow the current form instructions and the filing directions for the specific case. Keep a complete copy of the form, factual statement, medical report, work-status records, and submission confirmation. ECOMP may be available for electronic document submission through the Department of Labor portal (https://www.ecomp.dol.gov/).
Does CA-2a pay wage loss by itself?
CA-2a reports the recurrence; a separate compensation claim may also be needed.
The Department of Labor's FECA Procedure Manual says that when an employee returned to work without using all 45 days of continuation of pay and a recurrence begins within 45 days of the first return to duty, the employee may elect to use the remaining COP after submitting CA-2a. If the COP entitlement is exhausted or the recurrence begins more than 45 days after the first return to work, the agency may not pay COP and the employee should claim wage-loss compensation on Form CA-7.
Pay status and prior OWCP decisions can change the correct path. Use the instructions in the case file and ask the employing agency or OWCP for case-specific filing guidance.
A practical CA-2a checklist
- Confirm that the original OWCP claim and relevant condition were accepted.
- Decide whether the facts describe a recurrence or a new injury or exposure.
- Use the current CA-2a from the official FECA forms page.
- Write a precise timeline of return to work, symptoms, treatment, and wage loss.
- Describe regular or modified duties accurately.
- Obtain a detailed medical report that explains causal relationship.
- Include work-status and treatment records from after the original return to work.
- Determine whether Form CA-7 is also required for wage loss.
- Keep copies and proof of submission.
Federal employees in Southern Nevada can find OWCP-focused injury care through NuThera's OWCP resource center (https://nuthera.us/owcp), Las Vegas clinic (https://nuthera.us/locations/las-vegas-rainbow), and North Las Vegas clinic (https://nuthera.us/locations/north-las-vegas-aliante). NuThera provides clinical care and documentation for the services it delivers; it does not decide FECA benefit eligibility or provide individualized legal advice.
Sources
- 20 CFR 10.5, definitions of recurrence (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRcfe02f1155bb37e/section-10.5), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations; Title 20 up to date through August 25, 2026 and last amended August 20, 2026; accessed August 27, 2026.
- 20 CFR 10.104, how and when a recurrence claim is filed (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-B), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations; Title 20 up to date through August 25, 2026 and last amended August 20, 2026; accessed August 27, 2026.
- Form CA-2a, Notice of Recurrence (https://beta.dol.gov/document/2383), U.S. Department of Labor, revised January 2024; accessed August 27, 2026.
- FECA forms (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/forms), U.S. Department of Labor; accessed August 27, 2026.
- FECA Procedure Manual, Part 2 (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECA-PT2/group2), U.S. Department of Labor; accessed August 27, 2026.
Keep exploring.
- OWCP resource center
Start with NuThera's federal workers' compensation guide.
- OWCP forms directory
Find current DOL forms and plain-language explanations.
- CA-1 versus CA-2 guide
Learn how traumatic-injury and occupational-disease claims differ.
- NuThera — Las Vegas
Federal injury care at 5765 S Rainbow Blvd Ste 111, Las Vegas NV 89118.
- NuThera — North Las Vegas
Federal injury care at 3880 W Ann Rd Ste 130, North Las Vegas NV 89031.
Common questions.
What is Form CA-2a used for?
Form CA-2a reports a recurrence of disability or a renewed need for treatment connected to an accepted federal work injury after a return to work or release from care.
Is a flare-up always an OWCP recurrence?
No. A recurrence generally involves a spontaneous change in the accepted condition without a new injury or workplace exposure. A new event or exposure may require Form CA-1 or CA-2 instead.
What is the difference between recurrence of disability and recurrence of a medical condition?
Recurrence of disability involves renewed inability to work after a return to work. Recurrence of a medical condition involves a documented renewed need for treatment after release from care, without a work stoppage.
What medical evidence does OWCP need for CA-2a?
The attending physician should provide a detailed report based on an accurate history, current findings, diagnosis, treatment, work capacity, and medical reasoning that connects the recurrence to the accepted injury.
Do I file CA-2a if a new accident made my condition worse?
Generally, no. Federal regulations direct employees to use CA-1 for a new traumatic injury or CA-2 for a new occupational disease or new exposure contributing to an existing condition.
Do I also need Form CA-7?
Possibly. CA-2a reports the recurrence. If wage loss is not covered by remaining continuation of pay, Form CA-7 is generally used to claim compensation for the wage-loss period.