[Claim for Reimbursement of Lodging Expenses]

A Navy employee appealed a Claims Group settlement which disallowed his claim for reimbursement of per diem and actual subsistence expenses. The record showed that, after accepting a transfer to a new permanent duty station, the employee was assigned to temporary duty for 90 days at his old duty station. The employee's claim for reimbursement of expenses was disallowed on the basis that he performed the duty at his permanent duty station and, therefore, was not in a temporary duty status during the period in question. GAO found that the employee had effected a permanent change of station and was entitled to reimbursement for per diem or actual subsistence expenses for the 3-month period; however, the documentation submitted by the employee was inconsistent and not sufficient to support payment of that portion of his claim pertaining to lodging expenses. Accordingly, the Claims Group settlement was reversed, and that portion of the claim not pertaining to lodging may be paid if the claimant submits additional adequate documentation.