INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FORM CA-2a
NOTICE OF RECURRENCE
DEFINITION OF RECURRENCE
A Recurrence of the Medical Condition is the documented need for additional medical treatment after release from treatment for the
work-related injury. Continuing treatment for the original condition is not considered a recurrence.
A Recurrence of Disability is a work stoppage caused by:
• A spontaneous return of the symptoms of a previous injury or occupational disease without intervening cause;
• A return or increase of disability due to a consequential injury (defined as one which occurs due to weakness or impairment caused by a work-related
injury); or
• Withdrawal of a specific light duty assignment when the employee cannot perform the full duties of the regular position. This withdrawal
must have occurred for reasons other than misconduct or non-performance of job duties.
IF A NEW INJURY OR EXPOSURE TO THE CAUSE OF AN OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS OCCURS, AND DISABILITY OR THE NEED
FOR MEDICAL CARE RESULTS, A NEW FORM CA-1 OR CA-2 SHOULD BE FILED. This is true even if the now incident involves the
same part of the body as previously affected.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYEE
• Review the definition of "recurrence" given above. If you believe that you have sustained a recurrence, complete Part A of this form.
Attach a separate sheet of paper if needed to provide full details.
• If you worked for the Federal Government at the time of the recurrence, submit Form CA-2a to your employing agency. If you no longer
work for the Federal Government, complete Parts A and C of this form and submit all materials directly to the Office of Workers'
Compensation Programs (OWCP).
• If you are claiming a recurrence of disability for an occupational illness, or if all 45 days of continuation of pay (COP) have been used,
you may claim wage loss on Form CA-7. The OWCP will pay compensation if the claim is approved.
• Arrange for your attending physician to submit a detailed medical report. The report should include: dates of examination and treatment;
history as given by you; findings; results of x-ray and laboratory tests; diagnosis; course of treatment; and the treatment plan. The
physician must also provide an opinion, with medical reasons, regarding causal relationship between your condition and
the original Injury. Finally, the physician should describe your ability to perform your regular duties. If you are disabled for your
regular work, the physician should identify the dates of disability and provide work tolerance limitations.
• If other physicians treated you after you returned to work following the original injury, obtain similar medical reports from each of them.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYING AGENCY
• After the employee has completed Part A, promptly complete Part B and submit the form to OWCP, unless: the claimant is still receiving
continuation of pay (COP); the recurrence is for medical care only and the claim is still open; or the claimant is currently requesting
neither wage-loss compensation nor payment of medical expenses. In these instances, file the form in the Employee Medical
Folder.
• If COP is being paid, obtain medical evidence using Form CA-17, "Duty Status Report", as often as circumstances indicate.
• For a recurrence less than 90 days after the employee's return to work following the original injury, you may authorize required
medical care using Form CA-16. For a recurrence more than 90 days after the employee's return to work, OWCP must authorize further
medical care.
• For recurrences of disability which continue after the 45 days of COP have expired or which involve occupational illness, instruct
the employee to file Form CA-7.
Public Burden Statement
Completion of this collection of information is estimated to vary from 15 to 45 minutes per response with an average of 30 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. If you have any comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect to
this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, send them to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs,
U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3229, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210.
DO NOT SEND THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE SHOWN ABOVE.