ECAB rules that Rural Carriers are covered driving to work: "The Employee’s Compensation Appeals Board has ruled that a rural carrier who was in a car accident on her way to work was in the performance of duty as she was driving the vehicle which she intended to use to deliver mail on the date of the accident. The accident resulted in the amputation of the carrier’s leg. The carrier’s employer, the USPS, had argued that she did not have express permission to use that specific vehicle on the day of the accident. ECAB found that even if the carrier had violated the policy on getting permission before using her vehicle, such a technical violation would not remove her from the performance of her duties. ECAB ordered the District Office of OWCP to accept the claim."
https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/pcdocketno082216-9-25-09.pdf