[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