[Decision Concerning Entitlement of VA Employee to Travel Allowances]

The Veterans Administration (VA) requested a decision concerning an employee's entitlement to a per diem allowance and transportation costs for a house-hunting trip incident to his relocation. VA had determined that it erroneously authorized the trip, since the claimant travelled from outside of the continental United States. GAO held that VA should: (1) waive the claim, since it erroneously authorized the trip and there was no evidence of fraud on the claimant's part; and (2) not reimburse the employee for per diem expenses. Accordingly, the waiver was granted.