Claim for Retroactive Promotion With Backpay

An individual appealed the Claims Group's denial of his claim for retroactive promotion and backpay. The protester argued that his position was reclassified when the commanding officer of the Aviation Supply Office signed a position description form authorizing establishment of the position at the higher grade. However, all new or reclassified positions must be approved by the Naval Supply System Command before they become effective. The Command rejected this reclassification. GAO held that the employee was not entitled to a retroactive promotion with backpay based upon a recommendation by his local employing office since a higher echelon had authority to reject the recommendation and did so. Further, preliminary action to classify and establish a position at a higher grade, which was never completed, did not provide a basis for retroactive promotion. Accordingly, the Claims Group's denial was sustained.