__________________
 
                            January 9, 1998
                                             
 
 
                            GSBCA 14371-TRAV
 
 
                   In the Matter of RICHARD E. BENSON
 
 
        Alfred H. Ruemke, Arlington, VA, appearing for Claimant.
 
        Jean Cazaubon,  Director,  Human  Resources  Office,  United
   States  Naval Support  Activity,  Naples,  Italy,  appearing  for
   Department of the Navy.
 
   WILLIAMS, Board Judge.
 
        The instant claim is dismissed as premature because claimant
   has  not   submitted  the  claim   to  the  agency   for  initial
   adjudication.
 
                               Background
 
        On October 30, 1997, claimant,  Richard E. Benson, filed the
   instant claim against  the Department of the  Navy, United States
   Naval  Support  Activity,  Personnel  Support  Activity,  seeking
   enforcement  of his  Transportation Agreement,  placement  on the
   Priority Plan Program, and a change in grade  from level GS-12 to
   GS-13.  On December 30, 1997, the agency requested that the claim
   be  remanded for  initial  adjudication  by  the  agency  because
   claimant did not file a claim with the agency and the  agency has
   not yet been afforded the opportunity to adjudicate it.  As such,
   the agency claims  that the claimant's request for  review by the
   Board is premature.
 
                               Discussion
 
        Rule 401(c) of the Board's Rules of Procedure for Travel and
   Relocation Expenses Cases provides that any claim for entitlement
   to travel  or relocation  expenses must first  be filed  with the
   claimant's  own department  or agency  and that  the  agency must
   initially adjudicate the claim.   A claimant disagreeing with the
   agency's determination  may  request review  by this  Board.   As
   such, the agency is  correct that it would be premature  for this
   Board to address the instant claim.
 
                                Decision
 
        This claim is  dismissed and remanded to the  agency for its
   initial adjudication.[foot #] 1
 
 
                                      ____________________________
                                      MARY ELLEN COSTER WILLIAMS
                                      Board Judge
 
                                                                    
                   ----------- FOOTNOTE BEGINS ---------
 
        [foot #] 1     In  remanding  the claim  to the  agency, the
   Board has not addressed its  jurisdiction over each of the claims
   -- deeming such  issues also to be premature.  However, the Board
   notes that as a general matter it does not have jurisdiction over
   employment  disputes and  lacks authority to  direct a  change in
   grade.