[Decision Concerning Handicapped Employee's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Baggage Handling Fees]

The Department of Energy requested a decision concerning whether a handicapped employee travelling on official business was entitled to reimbursement for fees he incurred for personal baggage handling. GAO held that the claimant was entitled to reimbursement for the baggage handling fees, to the extent that he incurred the fees as a result of his disability and they were higher than those normally incurred and reimbursed as part of per diem allowances. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.