Proving DVT OWCP Claims

One of the significant challenges with DVT OWCP claims isn’t proving that Deep Vein Thrombosis exists; it’s proving why it happened. Unlike a broken bone or a visible workplace accident, DVT often develops days or even weeks after an accepted injury. Sometimes it appears following surgery. Other times, it develops after extended periods of immobility during recovery. In certain cases, prolonged work-related travel or other job duties may also contribute to the condition.

Because the connection isn’t always obvious, these claims often depend on one thing above all else: establishing causation through strong medical evidence.

Why Causation Matters for DVT OWCP Claims

OWCP doesn’t ask whether you developed a blood clot or not. Instead, the question becomes:

“Did this condition arise because of your federal employment or an already accepted work-related injury?”

That’s an important distinction, as a DVT diagnosis alone isn’t enough. The medical evidence must clearly explain how the condition developed and why it’s related to your employment or an accepted OWCP claim. Federal workers need a keen understanding of how an OWCP claim is evaluated, as causation plays such a central role throughout the claims process.

Secondary Conditions Are Often More Difficult to Prove

Many federal workers are surprised to learn that secondary medical conditions can qualify for benefits.

For example, a worker may:

• Undergo surgery following an accepted knee injury.
• Spend several weeks with restricted mobility.
• Develop a Deep Vein Thrombosis during recovery.

The DVT wasn’t the original injury. It developed as a result of the treatment or recovery associated with the accepted injury. Those consequential conditions may entitle you to benefits, but only when the medical evidence clearly establishes that relationship. Without a thorough medical narrative, OWCP may view the blood clot as an unrelated medical condition rather than a consequence of the original injury.

Your Medical Narrative Often Determines the Outcome

Medical records do more than document a diagnosis. For a successful DVT OWCP claim, they should explain:

• When symptoms began
• The accepted work injury
• Treatment history
• Surgical procedures, if applicable
• Why and how the physician believes the DVT developed because of the accepted (original) injury

Simply listing “DVT” in a medical record will not answer the questions OWCP is asking. We’ve discussed this issue in more detail in our accompanying article, When OWCP Medical Records Don’t Line Up. 

Delays Can Make Causation Harder to Establish

Timing matters, and workers sometimes dismiss leg swelling or calf pain, assuming it’s part of the normal recovery process. Others delay seeking treatment because they believe the symptoms will improve on their own. Unfortunately, those delays can make causation more difficult to establish later. As additional time passes, it often becomes harder to clearly connect the blood clot to the original injury or surgery.

We encourage people to read our article, Why Delaying an OWCP Claim Can Hurt Your Case. Early reporting and prompt medical treatment often produce the strongest evidence.

The Initial Claim Isn’t Always the End of the Story

Many workers focus only on getting the original injury accepted. But serious secondary conditions like DVT may affect the claim long after the initial recovery period. If permanent impairment ultimately develops, additional compensation may also become available through schedule award benefits, depending on the accepted condition and resulting impairment.

Small Documentation Issues Can Become Big Problems

We’ve seen many otherwise legitimate claims become more complicated due to relatively minor documentation issues. Some examples include:

• Physician reports that don’t explain causation
• Missing surgical records
• Inconsistent timelines
• Medical records that don’t connect the DVT to the accepted injury.

These situations overlap with the issues discussed in our article, “Common OWCP Claim Mistakes,” in which we explore how seemingly minor errors can delay or jeopardize otherwise valid claims.

DVT OWCP Claim: When Guidance Can Help

DVT claims are often more medically complex than the average federal workers’ compensation case because they involve proving a secondary condition rather than simply documenting an injury.

Working with experienced federal workers’ compensation lawyers can help ensure your medical evidence tells the complete story you must convey, and gives your DVT OWCP claim the strongest possible foundation.

Contact our team to learn more.