Skip to main content
OWCP / DOL–enrolled medical practice · Las Vegas & North Las Vegas
NuTheraInjury Recovery & Wellness
OWCP Denied Claims · Reconsideration · ECAB

OWCP claim denied? We handle these.

NuThera works the full OWCP spectrum — new claims, denied claims, reconsiderations, ECAB appeals, reopened cases, Schedule Awards, and complex multi-condition cases. If your claim has been denied, paused, or sent to a Second Opinion Examiner, we produce the clinical documentation OWCP requires to reverse it.

Yes — NuThera handles denied OWCP claims in Las Vegas. Most OWCP denials come down to inadequate medical documentation, not a lack of a real injury. Our physicians and physician associates are trained in FECA evidentiary standards. We perform fresh evaluations on denied cases, produce detailed supplemental causation narratives, and coordinate with attorneys when ECAB review is the right path.

Full-spectrum OWCP care

We don't just handle straightforward claims.

NuThera treats the full range of OWCP cases — from fresh CA-1 filings to ECAB-level appeals. Complex documentation is where denials are won or lost.

New claims

CA-1, CA-2, CA-16 — from evaluation through ECOMP submission.

Denied claims

Full case review, supplemental causation narratives, reconsideration support.

Reconsiderations & appeals

Clinical documentation for oral hearings, written reviews, and ECAB appeals.

Reopened claims

Recurrence documentation when a previously closed claim needs reopening.

Schedule Awards

AMA Guides 6th Edition–compliant permanent impairment evaluations at MMI.

Complex multi-condition

Coordinated documentation for cases involving multiple accepted conditions or systemic illnesses.

Why claims get denied

Six causes we see every week.

Understanding WHY your claim was denied determines the right appeal path. Read your denial letter carefully and match the reason to the correct response.

Insufficient causation documentation

The most common denial reason. The treating physician's record doesn't clearly tie the injury to a specific work event with clinical reasoning. Fixable with a detailed supplemental causation narrative.

Missing CA-17 or CA-20 forms

Agencies require periodic duty-status reports. Gaps in this documentation cause claim pauses and denials. We produce updated CA-17 reports at every visit.

Pre-existing condition not properly framed

OWCP compensates aggravation of pre-existing conditions — but the medical record must explicitly state that work activities worsened the prior condition beyond its natural course.

Delayed or incomplete initial reporting

CA-1 forms filed late or without complete injury descriptions get flagged. Often reversible with supplemental documentation and witness statements.

Second Opinion Examiner (SECOP) disagreement

When OWCP's independent examiner disagrees with the treating physician, the claim can be paused. We provide detailed rebuttal narratives addressing SECOP findings point-by-point.

Technical errors — wrong form, wrong signature, missing data

Administrative errors cause a surprising number of denials. Usually the fastest to fix with a targeted resubmission.

Four paths forward

What you can do after a denial.

OWCP gives you four options after a denial. Each has a different deadline and evidentiary standard. We help you pick the right one and produce the clinical documentation it requires.

01

Reconsideration

Deadline: 1 year from denial decision

The most common path. File a written request with new evidence — typically a detailed supplemental causation narrative, new imaging, or additional clinical documentation. Goes to the same OWCP District Office that denied.

02

Oral Hearing

Deadline: 30 days from denial decision

Present your case (by phone, video, or in person) to a Branch of Hearings and Review representative. Informal, no attorney required. We provide the clinical documentation and testimony support.

03

Review of the Written Record

Deadline: 30 days from denial decision

Paper-only review by the Branch of Hearings and Review. Faster than oral hearing. Best when the issue is clearly documentary. We can submit supplemental written evidence with the request.

04

ECAB Appeal

Deadline: 180 days from final decision

Appeal to the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board for legal review. ECAB evaluates whether OWCP properly applied the law. No new evidence accepted. Often paired with an attorney; we coordinate documentation with counsel.

Deadlines matter. Don't wait.

The shortest appeal deadline (oral hearing or written-record review) is 30 days from your denial decision. Missing it doesn't close all options — reconsideration still has a 1-year window — but every day you wait narrows what's available. Call us the same week you receive a denial letter.

Common questions

If you've been denied.

Can NuThera help if my OWCP claim was already denied?

Yes. We regularly see federal workers whose initial OWCP claim was denied elsewhere. We perform a fresh clinical evaluation, review the prior records, identify the specific reason for denial, and produce the detailed clinical documentation needed for reconsideration — including supplemental causation narratives addressing the denial reason directly.

Do you handle ECAB appeals?

Yes, on the clinical side. ECAB is a legal review process (no new evidence accepted), so we coordinate with your attorney to make sure the existing medical record is comprehensive and clear. If you don't have an attorney yet, we can recommend ones experienced in federal workers' compensation cases.

What's the first step after my claim is denied?

Read the denial letter carefully — it states the specific reason for denial, which determines the right appeal path. Then call us at (725) 726-7914 to schedule a denial-review consultation. Bring a copy of the denial letter and your complete prior records if possible.

How long do I have to appeal a denied OWCP claim?

It depends on the appeal type: 1 year for reconsideration, 30 days for oral hearings or written-record reviews, 180 days for ECAB appeals. Missing a deadline closes that specific option, though others may still be available. Start the process as soon as you receive the denial.

Do I need an attorney for a denied OWCP claim?

Not always. For reconsiderations and written-record reviews, strong clinical documentation often resolves the issue without an attorney. For ECAB appeals or complex multi-issue denials, an attorney experienced in federal workers' compensation can be valuable. We can refer you to qualified counsel.

What's the success rate for overturning OWCP denials?

We don't publish success rates because they depend heavily on case specifics and the quality of the original record. What we can say: the majority of denials we see were caused by incomplete causation documentation — a fixable issue. When we can add a properly reasoned clinical narrative, reconsideration outcomes improve significantly.

Can you help with a claim that's been denied for years?

Potentially yes, through the reopening process. OWCP allows previously closed claims to be reopened for worsening conditions or new evidence. Call us and bring the full claim history — we'll evaluate whether reopening is appropriate.

Denied claim?
Let's review it this week.

Most denial-review consultations are scheduled within 48 hours. Bring your denial letter and prior records.