---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 7906"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "7906"
heading: "Services of post-combat case coordinators"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/7906"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart F — Labor-Management and Employee Relations"
  - "Chapter 79 — Services to Employees"
---

# §7906. Services of post-combat case coordinators

- (a) **Definitions.—** For purposes of this section—
  - (1) the terms “employee”, “agency”,[^1] “injury”, “war-risk hazard”, and “hostile force or individual” have the meanings given those terms in [section 8101](/usc/5/8101.md); and
  - (2) the term “qualified employee” means an [employee](#a-1) as described in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Requirement.—** The head of each [agency](#a-1) shall, in a manner consistent with the guidelines prescribed under [subsection (c)](#c), provide for the assignment of a post-combat case coordinator in the case of any [employee](#a-1) of such [agency](#a-1) who suffers an injury or disability incurred, or an illness contracted, while in the performance of such [employee](#a-1)’s duties, as a result of a [war-risk hazard](#a-1) or during or as a result of capture, detention, or other restraint by a [hostile force or individual](#a-1).
- (c) **Guidelines.—** The Office of Personnel Management shall, after such consultation as the Office considers appropriate, prescribe guidelines for the operation of this section. Under the guidelines, the responsibilities of a post-combat case coordinator shall include—
  - (1) acting as the main point of contact for qualified employees seeking administrative guidance or assistance relating to benefits under chapter [81](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch81.md) or [89](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch89.md);
  - (2) assisting qualified employees in the collection of documentation or other supporting evidence for the expeditious processing of claims under chapter [81](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch81.md) or [89](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch89.md);
  - (3) assisting qualified employees in connection with the receipt of prescribed medical care and the coordination of benefits under chapter [81](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch81.md) or [89](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch89.md);
  - (4) resolving problems relating to the receipt of benefits under chapter [81](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch81.md) or [89](/usc/5/chptIII-sptG-ch89.md); and
  - (5) ensuring that qualified employees are properly screened and receive appropriate treatment—
    - (A) for post-traumatic stress disorder or other similar disorder stemming from combat trauma; or
    - (B) for suicidal or homicidal thoughts or behaviors.
- (d) **Duration.—** The [services](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) of a post-combat case coordinator shall remain available to a qualified employee until—
  - (1) such [employee](#a-1) accepts or declines a reasonable offer of employment in a [position](/usc/5/5531.md?p=2) in the [employee](#a-1)’s [agency](#a-1) for which the [employee](#a-1) is qualified, which is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the [employee](#a-1)’s grade (or pay level) before the occurrence or onset of the injury, disability, or illness (as referred to in [subsection (a)](#a)), and which is within the [employee](#a-1)’s commuting area; or
  - (2) such [employee](#a-1) gives written notice, in such manner as the employing [agency](#a-1) prescribes, that those [services](/usc/5/8331.md?p=12) are no longer desired or necessary.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. The definition of “agency” does not appear in section 8101 of this title.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title XI, § 1106(a), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1613.)