[Claim for Tropical Differential Pay]

A former member of the Army requested reconsideration of the Claims Group's denial of his claim for tropical differential pay. He had been selected to fill a position as an Army civilian employee in Panama. He requested that his entry on duty in the civilian position be delayed until the Army returned him to the United States for military discharge and until he transacted certain personal business there. He filed a claim for tropical differential pay but, because he had delayed his civilian appointment for 22 days, his claim was denied. Agency regulations for tropical differential pay require that the employee be continuously occupied in a position with the agency from the time of discharge from the Army. Although some leeway had been allowed in applying the regulations, GAO determined that a delay of 22 days did not satisfy the requirement. Accordingly, GAO sustained the Claims Group's denial of the employee's claim.