[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 232 (Monday, December 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62078-62080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29450]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary of Defense


Privacy Act of 1974; Notice to Amend a Record System

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Defense, DOD.

ACTION: Notice to Amend a Record System.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to amend a 
system of records notice in its inventory of record systems subject to 
the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

DATES: The amendment will be effective on January 3, 1996 unless 
comments are received that would result in a contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chief, Records Management and Privacy Act 
Branch, Washington Headquarter Services, Correspondence and Directives, 
Directives and Records Division, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 
20301-1155.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Cragg at (703) 695-0970 or DSN 
225-0970.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the Secretary of Defense 
notices for systems of records 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 amendments are not within the purview of subsection 
(r) of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, which would require 
the submission of a new or altered system report for each system. The 
specific changes to the record system being amended are set forth below 
followed 

[[Page 62079]]
by the notice, as amended, published in its entirety.
    Dated: November 24, 1995.

Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
DHA 05
    Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files (August 23, 1995, 60 FR 
43774).
* * * * *
    Add the following four paragraphs `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.'
* * * * *
DHA 05
    Persian Gulf Veterans Illnesses Files.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    10 U.S.C. 131, 10 U.S.C. 136, and E.O. 9397.
    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.
    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.
    The `Blanket Routine Uses' set forth at the beginning of OSD's 
compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system.
    Paper records are maintained in file folders; electronic records 
are stored on magnetic media; microfilm/microfiche are maintained in 
appropriate storage containers.
    Records are retrieved by case number, name, Social Security Number 
or service number.
    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.
    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.
    Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1200.
    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.
    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-

[[Page 62080]]
3881, or to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), 1200 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1200.
    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.
    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.
    None.
[FR Doc. 95-29450 Filed 12-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-F