Request for Relocation Expenses

An employee appealed a prior decision which denied him payment of relocation expenses. The issue in this case was whether the employee's transfer was in the interest of the Government, entitling him to relocation expenses incident to a change of his permanent duty station. The administrative reports showed that his claim was denied because his transfer was his convenience rather than in the interest of the Government. The employee requested the transfer because he lacked opportunity for advancement at his former duty station and he wanted to change geographical area. Accordingly, the decision of the GAO Claims Division was sustained.