[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]


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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 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