U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board
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In the Matter of RICHARD S. SMITH and U.S. POSTAL SERVICE,
POST OFFICE, Portage, Ind.
Docket No. 96-2356; Submitted on the Record;
Issued September 18, 1998
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DECISION and ORDER
Before WILLIE T.C. THOMAS, BRADLEY T. KNOTT,
A. PETER KANJORSKI
The issue is whether appellant has met his burden of proof in establishing that he sustained a recurrence of disability on or after January 23, 1995, causally related to his January 17, 1995 accepted right ankle sprain.
The Board has given careful consideration to the issue involved, the contentions of the parties on appeal, and the entire case record. The Board finds that the June 5, 1996 decision of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs’ hearing representative is in accordance with the facts and law in this case and hereby adopts the findings and conclusions of the hearing representative.
The decision of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, dated June 5, 1996, is hereby affirmed.
Dated, Washington, D.C.
September 18, 1998
Willie T.C. Thomas
Alternate Member
Bradley T. Knott
Alternate Member
A. Peter Kanjorski
Alternate Member