Can Arthritis Qualify for a Schedule Award?

Many federal workers spend decades in physically demanding jobs/careers that repeatedly stress their joints. Others develop arthritis after a work-related injury that permanently changes how a joint functions. What can begin as occasional stiffness or discomfort can become chronic pain and permanent loss of function.

Fortunately, some federal workers may qualify for an arthritis schedule award under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). To receive a schedule award, you must show that the condition is connected to your federal employment or an accepted work-related injury and has resulted in permanent impairment.

When Can You Receive an Arthritis Schedule Award?

Not every arthritis diagnosis automatically qualifies for additional compensation. Some federal workers develop osteoarthritis after years of repetitive physical work involving lifting, climbing, kneeling, prolonged standing, or repetitive joint stress. Others develop post-traumatic arthritis following an accepted workplace injury, such as a fractured joint or surgical repair. 

In either case, the question becomes whether the arthritis has caused permanent loss of function that may qualify for a schedule award. Once permanent impairment is established, the focus shifts from treating the condition to measuring its lasting effects on the affected joint.

Establishing Causation Is Critical

The most important part of obtaining an arthritis schedule award claim is proving causation. OWCP must be able to determine that the arthritis is related to your federal employment or developed because of an already accepted work-related injury. That connection requires more than simply documenting an arthritis diagnosis.

Your physician should explain (concisely) how the condition developed, why it relates to the accepted injury or occupational duties, and how it has permanently affected the joint’s function. Strong physician narratives often distinguish successful claims from those that are delayed or challenged; this is why we continually stress the importance of thorough OWCP medical documentation throughout every stage of the claims process.

Maximum Medical Improvement Comes First

For an arthritic diagnosis, MMI means the condition has stabilized, and additional treatment is unlikely to produce significant improvement. Many workers continue living with pain or limited joint function long after reaching MMI. As we explain in our article on Maximum Medical Improvement under OWCP, this milestone marks the transition from active treatment to determining whether permanent impairment remains.

How an Arthritis Schedule Award Is Calculated

Once Maximum Medical Improvement has been reached, a physician may perform an impairment evaluation using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (6th Edition).

Rather than measuring pain alone, the evaluation considers the permanent loss of function involving the affected joint. Diagnostic imaging, surgical history, range of motion, strength, stability, and other objective medical findings all contribute to the final impairment rating.

That impairment rating often becomes one of the most important factors in determining the value of an arthritis schedule award. Our article on OWCP impairment ratings explains why workers shouldn’t automatically assume the first impairment evaluation is the final answer.

Returning to Work Doesn’t End Your Rights

Many federal workers continue working despite living with chronic arthritis. Returning to work does not automatically eliminate eligibility for additional compensation; a worker may successfully perform their job while still experiencing permanent joint damage, reduced mobility, stiffness, or chronic pain that supports an arthritis schedule award.

Learn more about this in our accompanying article on schedule award benefits, where we explain why compensation for permanent impairment is separate from wage-loss benefits.

Our Guidance Can Help

Arthritis claims often develop gradually over many years, making them more complex than injuries caused by a single accident. If you’ve developed arthritis after years of federal employment or following an accepted workplace injury, our team of experienced federal workers’ compensation lawyers can help ensure your claim is fully supported and that we explore every available benefit.

If you’re looking for experienced OWCP lawyers, IFW Law Group can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation available under FECA.

Contact IFW Law Group to learn more about your options.