WC and returning benefits

SBR

In California, an associate gets hurt at work and goes on workers comp for an extended period. Benefits freeze while he is off work but how do you handle them when he returns to light duty? This particular EE got hurt on his 3rd months of employment and hit his one year mark while still off. He has returned to work but is on light duty he wants both his one year raise and his one year vacation. Would that be rewarding him for being off or no matter what he should get the benefits. We are on progression based raises.