[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24050-24051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11101]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of computer matching program.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs 
intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program. This will 
match personnel records of the Department of Defense with VA records of 
benefit recipients under the Montgomery GI Bill.
    The goal of these matches is to identify the eligibility status of 
veterans,

[[Page 24051]]

servicemembers, and reservists who have applied for or who are 
receiving education benefit payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. The 
purpose of the match is to enable VA to verify that individuals meet 
the conditions of military service and eligibility criteria for payment 
of benefits determined by VA under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty 
(MGIB) and the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR).

DATES: This match will commence on or about June 5, 2003. At the 
expiration of 18 months after the commencing date the Departments may 
renew the agreement for another 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Yunker (225B), Strategy 
Development Leader, Education Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-7180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Further information regarding the matching 
program is provided below. This information is required by paragraph 6c 
of the ``Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs'' issued by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (54 FR 25818), as amended by OMB 
Circular A-130, 65 FR 77677 (2000). A copy of the notice has been 
provided to both Houses of Congress and OMB. The matching program is 
subject to their review.
    a. Names of participating agencies: Department of Defense and 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    b. Purpose of the match: The purpose of the match is to enable VA 
to determine whether an applicant is eligible for payment of benefits 
under the MGIB or the MGIB-SR and to verify continued compliance with 
the requirements of both programs.
    c. Authority: The authority to conduct this match is found in 38 
U.S.C. 3684A(a)(1).
    d. Categories of records and individuals covered: The records 
covered include eligibility records extracted from DOD personnel files 
and benefit records that VA establishes for all individuals who have 
applied for and/or are receiving, or have received education benefit 
payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. These benefit records are 
contained in a VA system of records identified as 58VA21/22 entitled: 
Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records--VA, first 
published in the Federal Register at 41 FR 9294 (March 3, 1976), and 
last amended at 66 FR 47727 (September 13, 2001), with other amendments 
as cited therein.
    e. Inclusive dates of the matching program: The match will begin on 
June 5, 2003, or 40 days after the OMB review period, whichever is 
later and continue in effect for 18 months.
    f. Address for receipt of public inquiries or comments: Interested 
individuals may submit written comments to the Director, Regulations 
Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments will be 
available for public inspection at the above address in the Office of 
Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1158, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 
p.m.

    Approved: April 23, 2003.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-11101 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]
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