Board of Contract Appeals
                    General Services Administration
                         Washington, D.C. 20405
                            _______________
 
                            August 28, 1998
                            _______________
 
                            GSBCA 14638-TRAV
 
                  In the Matter of LaGRANDE H. MERRITT
 
 
        LaGrande H. Merritt, Bedford, WY, Claimant.
        Lydia A. Tzagoloff,  Office of the Solicitor,  Department of
   Labor, Denver, CO, appearing for Department of Labor.
 
   VERGILIO, Board Judge.
             The Board lacks the authority to resolve a request
        for reimbursement for  travel for medical  appointments
        pursuant to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
 
        LaGrande H.  Merritt had  been a  Government employee  until
   placed on disability.   He sought and received  benefits from the
   Department  of Labor,  Office of  Workers'  Compensation Programs
   (OWCP), under the  Federal Employees' Compensation Act,  5 U.S.C.
     8101-8152 (FECA).  He sought  and was denied reimbursement  for
   some  expenses incurred  incident to  travel in  1995, 1996,  and
   1997, to receive  medical treatment.   The agency maintains  that
   the Board  lacks authority over  this matter.  The  agency notes,
   however, that it has taken  action to address each aspect of  the
   request for reimbursement.
        Mr. Merritt seeks  to be reimbursed for travel  to a medical
   care  giver  pursuant to  the  FECA.   That  law places  with the
   Secretary  of Labor, not  this Board, the  authority to determine
   compensation.   5  U.S.C.     8124, 8128  (1994).   This  Board's
   authority  to  resolve  travel  claims  is not  so  broad  as  to
   encompass  the request at issue.  5 U.S.C.   3702(a)(1)(3) (Supp.
   II 1996).  Accordingly, this matter is dismissed.
 
                                 ____________________________
                                 JOSEPH A. VERGILIO
                                 Board Judge