[Response to Request for Advance Decision Concerning Entitlement of VA Employee to Reimbursement of Real Estate Expenses]

The Veterans Administration (VA) requested a decision regarding an employee's claim for reimbursement for real estate expenses incident to his transfer. VA denied the claim because the claimant listed an apartment in one city as his residence at the time of his transfer, but claimed the expenses for the sale of a house in another city. The claimant contended that: (1) the apartment was a summer home; (2) he commuted to work from the apartment; and (3) he was renting the house to recover his expenses, rather than for investment purposes. GAO held that the claimant was not entitled to reimbursement because he did not: (1) reside in the house when VA first notified him of the transfer; and (2) commute to work from the house. Accordingly, the claim was denied.