[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12786-12787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6745]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.
ACTION: Notice to alter a system of records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary proposes to alter a system of
records notice in its existing inventory of record systems subject to
the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. A routine use is
being added to an existing system of records identified as DHA 05,
entitled Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files.
DATES: This proposed action will be effective without further notice on
April 27, 1998, unless comments are received which result in a contrary
determination.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to OSD Privacy Act Coordinator, Records
Section, Directives and Records Division, Washington Headquarter
Services, Correspondence and Directives, 1155 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-1155.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Bosworth at (703) 695-0970
or DSN 225-0970.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the Secretary systems of
records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as
amended, have been published in the Federal Register and are available
from the address above.
The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on March 5, 1998, to the
House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Senate
Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No.
A-130, `Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About
Individuals,' dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).
Dated: March 11, 1998.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
DHA 05
System name:
Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files (May 1, 1997, 62 FR 23768).
Changes:
* * * * *
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and purposes of such uses:
Delete the fourth paragraph and replace with `To the Special
Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War
Chemical and Biological Incidents for purposes of carrying out those
functions as set forth in Executive Order 13075, or such further Order
as directed by the President.'
* * * * *
DHA 05
System name:
Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files.
System location:
Department of Defense Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Investigative
Team, 5205 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3881; and Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-1200.
Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program, 5205 Leesburg Pike,
Skyline 1, Suite 1135, Falls Church, VA 22041-3802.
Commander, U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive
Medicine, ATTN: MCHB-DE-HR, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5422.
U.S. Army Joint Services Support Group, 7798 Cissna Road, Suite
101, Springfield, VA 22150-3197.
Naval Health Research Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology,
271 Catalina Boulevard, Barracks Building 322, San Diego, CA 92152-
5302.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Individuals who served in Operation Desert Storm and/or Operation
Desert Shield who feel they may have been exposed to biological,
chemical, disease, or environmental agents. Those individuals may
contact the Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Investigative Team by
dialing 1-800-472-6719 to report experiences of unusual illness or
health conditions following service during the Persian Gulf conflict.
Categories of records in the system:
Records consist of individual's name, Social Security Number or
service number, last known or current address, occupational
information, date and extent of involvement in Persian Gulf military
operations, perceived exposure information, medical treatment
information, medical history of subject, and other documentation of
reports of possible exposure to biological, chemical, disease, or
environmental agents.
The system contains information from unit and historical records
and information provided to the Department of Defense by individuals
with first-hand knowledge of reports of possible biological, chemical,
disease, or environmental incidents.
Information from health care providers who have evaluated patients
with illnesses possibly related to service in the Persian Gulf is also
included. Records include those documents, files, and other matter in
the medical, operational, and intelligence communities that could
relate to possible causes of Persian Gulf War Veterans illnesses.
Records of diagnostic and treatment methods pursued on subjects
following reports of possible incidental exposure are also included in
this system.
Authority for maintenance of the system:
10 U.S.C. 131; 10 U.S.C. 136; and E.O. 9397 (SSN).
Purpose(s):
Records are collected and assembled to permit investigative
examination and analysis of reports of possible exposure to biological,
chemical, disease, or environmental agents incident to service in the
Persian Gulf War and to conduct scientific or related studies or
medical follow-up programs.
[[Page 12787]]
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and purposes of such uses:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained
therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
To the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security
Administration for appropriate consideration of individual claims for
benefits for which that agency is responsible.
To the Department of Veterans Affairs for use, in conjunction with
the Persian Gulf Health Registry, to permit investigative, scientific,
medical and other analysis regarding possible causes, symptoms,
diagnoses, treatment, and other characteristics pertinent to Gulf War
Illnesses.
To the Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense
Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents for
purposes of carrying out those functions as set forth in Executive
Order 13075, or such further Order as directed by the President.
The `Blanket Routine Uses' set forth at the beginning of OSD's
compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system.
Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining,
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
Paper records are maintained in file folders; electronic records
are stored on magnetic media; microfilm/microfiche are maintained in
appropriate storage containers.
Retrievability:
Records are retrieved by case number, name, Social Security Number
or service number.
Safeguards:
Access to areas where records maintained is limited to authorized
personnel. Areas are protected by access control devices during working
hours and intrusion alarm devices during non-duty hours.
Retention and disposal:
Disposition pending (until NARA disposition is approved, treat as
permanent). The files will be maintained in the Office of the Special
Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses. Upon the disestablishment of the
Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses, custody of the
records will be transferred to the Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense (Personnel and Readiness).
System manager(s) and address:
Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War
Illnesses, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3881.
Notification procedure:
Individuals seeking to determine whether information about
themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries
to the Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of
Defense for Gulf War Illnesses, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041-3881.
Record access procedure:
Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in
this system of records should address written inquiries to the Office
of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf
War Illnesses, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3881.
Contesting records procedures:
The OSD's rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and
appealing initial agency determinations are published in OSD
Administrative Instruction 81; 32 CFR part 311; or may be obtained from
the system manager.
Record source categories:
Information is from the individuals themselves, witnesses to a
possible agent event, health care providers who have evaluated patients
with illnesses possibly related to service in the Persian Gulf, as well
as extracts from historical records to include: personnel files and
lists, unit histories, medical records, and related sources.
Exemptions claimed for the system:
None.
[FR Doc. 98-6745 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-F
