[Request for Reconsideration of Claims Group's Decision To Allow State Department Employee's Claim for Travel Expenses]

The Department of State requested reconsideration of a Claims Group decision approving a State employee's claim for home leave travel expenses, contending that the employee began his leave before receiving agency approval. GAO held that, since the agency had previously approved the employee's request for a change of actual residence, the fact that he began travel 2 days before the agency issued the approval to amend his orders did not defeat his entitlement to reimbursement for his travel expenses. Accordingly, the Claims Group decision was sustained.