If a diagnosis is missing from your accepted FECA claim, OWCP calls adding it claim expansion. The U.S. Department of Labor says to submit supporting medical documentation for the claims examiner to review. A diagnosis in a medical record does not by itself add it to your claim.
Check what OWCP has already accepted
Start with your acceptance letter, then check the current list of accepted conditions. The U.S. Department of Labor’s injured-worker guidance explains that conditions can be added after the original letter, and its FECA FAQ says accepted conditions are available through the Claimant Query System in ECOMP. Comparing the current list with the exact diagnosis in your medical report can clarify whether anything is missing.
- Information for Injured Workers and Their Representatives — U.S. Department of Labor
- FECA Frequently Asked Questions — U.S. Department of Labor
What the medical documentation should explain
The FECA Procedure Manual describes the role of medical reasoning in connecting a diagnosis to work. If the new condition is claimed as a consequence of an accepted injury, the manual specifically describes a physician’s explanation of how the two conditions are related. A practical way to prepare for that discussion is to have your acceptance letter, relevant medical records, and a brief timeline available. You can describe what happened and when; the physician provides the medical opinion.
Keep the request separate from the decision
DOL’s guidance directs workers to provide supporting medical documentation to OWCP for review. Its FECA FAQ describes uploading correspondence to the case through ECOMP. Keep a copy of what you submit and any confirmation. That confirmation records the submission; it does not tell you whether the claims examiner added the condition. For questions about the status of the request, DOL points workers to the OWCP office that services the claim.
- Information for Injured Workers and Their Representatives — U.S. Department of Labor
- FECA Frequently Asked Questions — U.S. Department of Labor
Local resources
NuThera’s OWCP resources provide related federal injury information. The Las Vegas and North Las Vegas location pages have clinic details. This guide is general education and does not determine what OWCP will accept in a specific case.
Sources
- Information for Injured Workers and Their Representatives — U.S. Department of Labor; accessed November 12, 2026
- FECA Frequently Asked Questions — U.S. Department of Labor; accessed November 12, 2026
- FECA Procedure Manual, Part 2: Causal Relationship and Initial Acceptances — U.S. Department of Labor; accessed November 12, 2026
Keep exploring.
Common questions.
Does OWCP automatically add a diagnosis that appears in my medical report?
No. DOL says to provide medical documentation for the claims examiner to review when you believe a diagnosis should be added. The report is supporting evidence, not an acceptance decision.
Can the current list differ from my original acceptance letter?
Yes. DOL explains that a claim can be updated to include other conditions. Its FECA FAQ identifies ECOMP’s Claimant Query System as a way to view accepted conditions.
Who explains how a diagnosis relates to the accepted injury?
The physician provides the medical explanation. You can help by organizing relevant records and describing the sequence of events in your own words.