Claim for Real Estate Expenses

An employee of the Veterans Administration (VA) appealed a decision disallowing reimbursement of real estate expenses. Real estate expenses were incurred in connection with the purchase of residence incident to a permanent change of station. The employee was single at the time he changed duty stations and rented an apartment. The follwing year, he was married, made settlement on a home, and submitted a claim for reimbursement for real estate expenses incident to the purchase. Federal Travel Regulations govern time limitations for reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with real estate transactions and provide for an extension when authorized by the head of the agency. In this case, the VA determined that the purchase of a house was not reasonably related to a permanent change of duty station but was more for the convenience of the employee. The administrative decision was not arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion. Accordingly, the previous decision was sustained.