OWCP Schedule Awards-Pay Rate Dates

OWCP uses the following information when determining the pay rate date of a schedule award: 

Legend:

DOI=Date of Injury

DDB=Date Disability Began

DOR=Date of Recurrence

DMI=Date of Maximum Medical Improvement

DLE=Date of Last Exposure

Traumatic Injury Claims -

With prior disability:

Pay Rate Date = DOI, DDB, or DOR (whichever is greatest)
SA Start Date = DMI 

Without prior disability:

Pay Rate Date = DOI
SA Start Date = DMI

Occupational Disease Claims -

With prior disability, working full duty (still exposed to injurious work factors) at time of rating exam:

Pay Rate Date = DOI, DDB, or DOR (whichever is greatest)
    (DOI = Date of Last Exposure = Date of Impairment rating exam)
SA Start Date = DMI

With prior disability, not working or working limited duty at time of rating exam:

Pay Rate Date = DOI, DDB, or DOR (whichever is greatest)
SA Start Date = DMI

Without prior disability:

Pay Rate Date = DOI 
    (DOI = DLE = Last date exposed to causal employment factors in full-duty capacity or date of medical exam if still exposed)
SA Start Date = DMI

Occupational Hearing Loss and Asbestosis Claims -

When claimant is disabled due to occupational hearing loss or asbestosis:

Pay Rate Date = DOI, DDB, or DOR (whichever is greatest)
SA Start Date = DMI

When there is no disability, claimant has continuing exposure:

Pay Rate Date = DOI 
    (DOI = DLE = date of last exposure before diagnostic exam - audiogram/chest x-ray)
SA Start Date = DMI

When there is no disability, retired:

Pay Rate Date = DOI
    (DOI = date of retirement or last documented date of exposure to hazardous noise or asbestos)
SA Start Date = DMI