[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 35425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14277]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses and Deployment Health Scientific 
Merit Review Board; Notice of Establishment

    As required by section 9(a)(2) of Public Law 92-463 (Federal 
Advisory Committee Act), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby 
gives notice of the establishment of the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses 
and Deployment Health Scientific Merit Review Board. The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Board is both 
necessary and in the public interest.
    The Board is expected to make recommendations that will improve the 
quality of VA research pertaining to the health consequences of 
participation in the Gulf War (Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 
August 1990-July 1991) and other military deployments. Focused advice 
from subject matter experts on the Board will enhance the Department's 
efforts to restore the capabilities of veterans with deployment-related 
disabilities and to improve the quality of their lives by promoting 
their functional independence.
    The Board will advise VA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) 
leadership on the scientific merit, technical merit, and mission 
relevance of research pertaining to the health effects of participation 
in the Gulf War and other military deployments before and since that 
conflict. The Board will: (1) Review Gulf War veterans' illnesses and 
deployment health research and development proposals administered 
locally by VA facilities for scientific and technical merit; (2) 
prepare summary recommendations to ORD leadership on all proposals 
based upon independent review, Board discussions, and site visits, 
where necessary; and (3) advise ORD leadership regarding the status of 
Gulf War veterans' illnesses and deployment health research and 
development as applicable to the Board members' areas of expertise.

    Dated: June 17, 2004.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-14277 Filed 6-23-04; 8:45 am]
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