[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23768-23769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11304]
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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.
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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary proposes to add a routine use to
an existing system of records in its inventory of record systems
subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
DATES: This action will be effective without further notice on June 2,
1997, unless comments are received that would result in a contrary
determination.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to the 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 complete inventory of Office of the
Secretary record system 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 altered system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r)
of the Privacy Act was submitted on April 23, 1997, 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, (61 FR 6427, February 20, 1996).
Dated: April 25, 1997.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
DHA 05
System name:
Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files (April 11, 1997, 62 FR
17788).
Changes:
* * * * *
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and purposes of such uses:
Add a new paragraph `To the Department of Veterans Affairs for use,
in conjuction 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.'
* * * * *
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.
[[Page 23769]]
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.
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 conjuction 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 Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans'
Illnesses for purposes of carrying out those functions as set forth in
Executive Orders 12961 and 13034 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:
Files will be retained permanently. They will be maintained in the
custody of the Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Investigative Team under
the oversight of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)
until completion of the Team's investigative mission. Upon disbanding
of the Team, custody of the records will be transferred to OASD(HA)
where they will be held for five years, and then transferred to the
National Archives and Records Administration.
System manager(s) and address:
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1200.
Notification procedure:
Individuals seeking to determine whether information about
themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries
to the Director, Persian Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Investigative
Team, Suite 810, 5205 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3881, or to
the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1200.
Record access procedure:
Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in
this system of records should address written inquiries to the
Director, Persian Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Investigative Team, Suite
810, 5205 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3881, or to the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-1200.
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. 97-11304 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-F
