[Decision Concerning DLA Employee's Claim for Per Diem and Restoration of Annual Leave]

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for per diem expenses and a constructive recoupment day incident to his temporary overseas duty. GAO held that DLA properly disallowed the claim because: (1) the claimant departed early and could not claim more than 2 days of per diem expenses in connection with travel on government time, despite his contention that his travel schedule was necessary to ensure his timely arrival; and (2) the employee arrived on a weekend and DLA had the administrative discretion to deny a recoupment day. Accordingly, the claim was denied.