Notice2025-17709
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Veterans Affairs Department
Abstract
Pursuant to Privacy Act of 1974, notice is hereby given that VA proposes to modify an existing system of records, "Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Records--VA" (58VA21/22/28).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44464-44473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17709]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA)
ACTION: Notice of a Modified System of Records
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Privacy Act of 1974, notice is hereby given that
VA proposes to modify an existing system of records, ``Compensation,
Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
Records--VA'' (58VA21/22/28).
DATES: Comments on this modified system of records must be received no
later than 30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.
If no public comment is received during the period allowed for comment
or unless otherwise published in the Federal Register by VA, this
modified system of records will become effective a minimum of 30 days
after date of publication in the Federal Register. If VA receives
public comments, VA shall review the comments to determine whether any
changes to the notice are necessary.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted through <a href="http://www.Regulations.gov">www.Regulations.gov</a> or
mailed to VA Privacy Service, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, (005X6F),
Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted
in response to ``Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Records--VA (58VA21/22/28).'' Comments
received will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> for public viewing,
inspection, or copies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Raidt, Program Analyst, Office
of Business Integration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1240777c77773c40737b76665244533c757d64"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95c7f0fbf0f0bbc7f4fcf1e1d5c3d4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>, or at telephone
number 425-553-8499. (Note: This is not a toll-free number.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA is updating this system of records by
modifying the System Name and Routine Uses of Records in the System.
The System Name is being updated to Veteran Readiness and Employment
(formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment). Routine
uses 75-81 and 83 were removed regarding VA's Insurance business line.
Those routine uses are included in the ``Veterans and Uniformed
Services Personnel Programs of U.S. Government Life Insurance--VA''
(36VA29) Privacy Act System of Records. Categories of individuals
covered by the system was updated to remove items 22-24, which is also
addressed in the same system of records (36VA29). The Notification
Procedure Section was updated to state `` ``Individuals who wish to be
notified if a record in this system of records pertains to them should
submit the request following the procedures described in ``Record
Access Procedures,'' above.'' Former routine uses 86-93 were removed
since they are included in the ``Beneficiary Fiduciary Field System
(BFFS) VA (37VA27)'' Privacy Act System of Records.
VA is adding new Routine Use 70 to authorize VA to disclose
information from this system of records to the Department of Health and
Human Services for the purpose of tracking Veteran employment for
research purposes in accordance with Public Law 116-315, Section 4301.
The narrative statement and an advance copy of the proposed changes
have been sent to the appropriate Congressional committees and to the
Director of the Office of Management
[[Page 44465]]
and Budget (OMB) as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) (Privacy Act) and
guidelines issued by OMB (65 FR 77677), December 12, 2000.
Signing Authority
The Senior Agency Official for Privacy, or designee, approved this
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eddie Pool,
Deputy Chief Information Officer, Connectivity and Collaboration
Services, Performing the Delegable Duties of the Assistant Secretary
for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer, approved
this document on July 11, 2025, for publication.
Dated: September 10, 2025
Saurav Devkota,
Government Information Specialist, VA Privacy Service, Office of
Compliance, Risk and Remediation, Office of Information and Technology,
Department of Veterans Affairs.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
Compensation, Pension, Education, and Veteran Readiness and
Employment Records--VA (58VA21/22/28).
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
This is an unclassified system.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Records are maintained at VA regional offices; VA medical centers;
the VA Records Management Center at St. Louis, Missouri; the Data
Processing Center at Hines, Illinois; the Corporate Franchise Data
Center in Austin, Texas; the Information Technology Center at
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Terremark Worldwide, Inc.; Federal Hosting
Facilities in Culpepper, Virginia and Miami, Florida; and in the VA
Enterprise Cloud AWS GovCloud regions in Oregon and Ohio. Active
educational assistance records are generally maintained at the regional
processing office having jurisdiction over the educational institution,
training establishment, or other entity where the claimant pursues or
intends to pursue training.
The automated individual employee productivity records are
temporarily maintained at the VA data processing facility serving the
office in which the employee is located. Records provided to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for inclusion on its
Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS) are located at
a data processing center under contract to HUD at Lanham, Maryland.
Address locations of VA facilities are listed at: <a href="https://www.va.gov/landing2_locations.htm">https://www.va.gov/landing2_locations.htm</a>.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
Executive Director, Compensation Service (21C), 810 Vermont Avenue
NW, VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.
Executive Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service (21PF), 810
Vermont Avenue NW, VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.
Executive Director, Education Service (22), 810 Vermont Avenue NW,
VA Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.
Executive Director, VR&E Service (28), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, VA
Central Office, Washington, DC 20420.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
10 U.S.C. Ch. 106a, 510,1606 and 1607; 38 U.S.C. 501(a); 38 U.S.C.
Ch. 3,11,13,15,18, 23, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 51, 53, 55
and 77; and 5 U.S.C. 5514.
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
VA gathers or creates these records in order to enable it to
administer statutory benefits programs to Veterans, Service members,
and Reservists; and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents,
who file claims for a wide variety of Federal Veteran's benefits
administered by VA. See the statutory provisions cited in ``Authority
for maintenance of the system.''
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
The following categories of individuals are covered by this system.
1. Veterans who have applied for compensation for service-connected
disability under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 11.
2. Veterans who have applied for nonservice-connected disability
under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 15.
3. Veterans entitled to burial benefits under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 23.
4. Surviving spouses and children who have claimed pension based on
nonservice connected death of a Veteran under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 15.
5. Surviving spouses and children who have claimed death
compensation based on service-connected death of a Veteran under 38
U.S.C. Ch. 11.
6. Surviving spouses and children who have claimed dependency and
indemnity compensation for service-connected death of a Veteran under
38 U.S.C. Ch. 13.
7. Parents who have applied for death compensation based on
service-connected death of a Veteran under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 11.
8. Parents who have applied for dependency and indemnity
compensation for service connected death of a Veteran under 38 U.S.C.
Ch. 13.
9. Individuals who applied for educational assistance benefits
administered by VA under title 38 U.S.C.
10. Individuals who applied for educational assistance benefits
maintained by the Department of Defense (DoD) under title 10 U.S.C.
that are administered by VA.
11. Veterans who apply for training and employers who apply for
approval of their programs under the provisions of the Emergency
Veterans' Job Training Act of 1983, Public Law 98-77.
12. Any VA employee who generates or finalizes adjudicative actions
using the Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), the Veterans Service Network
(VETSNET), or Veterans Benefit Management System (VBMS) computer
processing systems.
13. Veterans who apply for training and employers who apply for
approval of their programs under the provisions of the Service members
Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992, Public Law 102-484.
14. Representatives of individuals covered by the system.
15. Fee personnel who may be paid by the VA or by someone other
than the VA (e.g., appraisers, compliance inspectors, management
brokers, loan closing, and fee attorneys who are not VA employees but
are paid for actual case work performed).
16. Program participants (e.g., property management brokers and
agents, real estate sales brokers and agents, participating lenders and
their employees, title companies whose fees are paid by someone other
than VA, and manufactured home dealers, manufacturers, and manufactured
home park or subdivision owners).
17. Disabled Veterans who have applied for and received specially
adapted housing assistance under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 21.
18. Veterans, their spouses or unmarried surviving spouses who have
applied for and received VA housing credit assistance under title 38
U.S.C. Ch. 37.
19. Person(s) applying to purchase VA owned properties (vendee
loans).
20. Transferee owners of properties encumbered by a VA-guaranteed,
insured, direct or vendee loan (e.g., individuals who have assumed a
VA-guaranteed loan and those who have purchased property directly from
VA).
21. Individuals other than those previously identified who may have
applied for loan guaranty benefits.
[[Page 44466]]
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Records include identifying information (e.g., name, address, and
social security number); military service and active duty separation
information (e.g., name, service number, date of birth, rank, sex,
total amount of active service, branch of service, character of
service, pay grade, assigned separation reason, service period, whether
Veteran was discharged with a disability, reenlisted, received a Purple
Heart or other military decoration); payment information (e.g., Veteran
payee name, address, dollar amount of readjustment service pay, amount
of disability or pension payments, number of nonpay days, any amount of
indebtedness (accounts receivable) arising from title 38 U.S.C.
benefits and which are owed to the VA); medical information (e.g.,
medical and dental treatment in the Armed Forces including type of
service-connected disability, medical facilities, or medical or dental
treatment by VA health care personnel or received from private
hospitals and health care personnel relating to a claim for VA
disability benefits or medical or dental treatment); personal
information (e.g., marital status, name and address of dependents,
internet protocol addresses, occupation, amount of education of a
Veteran or a dependent, dependent's relationship to Veteran); education
benefit information (e.g., information arising from utilization of
training benefits such as a Veteran trainee's induction, reentrance or
dismissal from a program or progress and attendance in an education or
training program); applications for compensation, pension, education,
and Veteran readiness benefits and training which may contain
identifying information, military service, and active duty separation
information, payment information, medical and dental information;
personal and education benefit information relating to a Veteran or
beneficiary's incarceration in a penal institution (e.g., name of
incarcerated Veteran or beneficiary, claims file number, name, and
address of penal institution, date of commitment, type of offense,
scheduled release date, Veteran's date of birth, beneficiary
relationship to Veteran and whether Veteran or beneficiary is in a work
release or half-way house program, on parole or has been released from
incarceration); case notes from the e-VA application created from email
and text message correspondence through the application; degree audits
and copies of grades for Veterans and dependents enrolled in school;
training records for Veterans and dependents participating in training
programs. The Filipino Loyalty file (the File) consists of
correspondence, memoranda, reports, affidavits, depositions, press
clippings, rosters, photographs, and other papers accumulated by post-
WWII U.S. Army investigative and intelligence units. The File relates
to anti-Japanese resistance activities in the Philippines, Filipino
collaboration with the Japanese, wartime guerrilla activities, and
instances of real or suspected Communist activities.
The VA employee's BDN, VETSNET or VBMS identification numbers, the
number and kind of actions generated and/or finalized by each such
employee, the compilation of cases returned for each employee.
Records (or information contained in records) may also include:
applications for certificates of eligibility (these applications
generally contain information from a Veteran's military service records
except for character of discharge); applications for Federal Housing
Administration Veterans' low-down payment loans (these applications
generally contain information from a Veteran's military service records
including whether or not a Veteran is in the service); applications for
a guaranteed or direct loan, applications for release of liability,
applications for substitutions of VA entitlement and applications for
specially adapted housing (these applications generally contain
information relating to employment, income, credit, personal data,
e.g., social security number, marital status, number and identity of
dependents); assets and liabilities at financial institutions;
profitability data concerning business of self-employed individuals;
information relating to an individual Veteran's loan account and
payment history on a VA-guaranteed, direct, or vendee loan on an
acquired property; medical information when specially adapted housing
is sought; and information regarding whether a Veteran owes a debt to
the United States) and may be accompanied by other supporting documents
which contain the above information; applications for the purchase of a
VA acquired property (e.g., vendee loans--these applications generally
contain personal and business information on a prospective purchaser
such as social security number, credit, income, employment history,
payment history, business references, personal information and other
financial obligations and may be accompanied by other supporting
documents which contain the above information); loan instruments
including deeds, notes, installment sales contracts, and mortgages;
property management information (e.g., condition and value of property,
inspection reports, notices of value, correspondence, and other
information regarding the condition of the property (occupied,
vandalized)), and a legal description of the property; information
regarding VA loan servicing activities regarding default, repossession
and foreclosure procedures, assumption of loans, payment of taxes and
insurance, filing of judgments (liens) with state or local authorities
and other related matters in connection with active and/or foreclosed
loans; information regarding the status of a loan (e.g., approved,
pending or rejected by the VA); Applications by individuals to become
VA-approved fee basis appraisers, compliance inspector, fee attorneys,
or management brokers. These applications include information
concerning applicant's name, address, business phone numbers, social
security numbers or taxpayer identification number, and professional
qualifications; applications by non-supervised lenders for approval to
close guaranteed loans without the prior approval of VA
(automatically); applications by lenders supervised by Federal or state
agencies for designation as supervised automatic lenders in order that
they may close loans without the prior approval (automatically) of VA;
applications for automatic approval or designation contain information
concerning the corporate structure of the lender, professional
qualifications of the lender's officers or employees, financial data
such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets to insure the
firm's financial integrity; identifying information such as names,
business names (if applicable), addresses, phone numbers, and
professional resumes of corporate officials or employees; corporate
structure information on prior approval lenders, participating real
estate sales brokers or agents, developers, builders, investors,
closing attorneys or other program participants as necessary to carry
out the functions of the Loan Guaranty Program; records of performance
concerning appraisers, compliance inspectors, management brokers, or
fee attorneys on both firms and individual employees; records of
performance including disciplinary proceedings, concerning program
participants (e.g., lenders, investors, real estate brokers, builders,
fee appraisers, compliance inspectors and developers both as to the
firm and to individual employees maintained on an as-needed basis to
carry out the functions of the Loan Guaranty program); National Control
Lists which identify suspended
[[Page 44467]]
real estate brokers and agents, lenders and their employees, investors,
manufactured home dealers and manufacturers, and builders or
developers; and a master record of the National Control List (e.g.,
Master Control List), which includes information regarding parties
previously suspended but currently reinstated to participation in the
Loan Guaranty program in addition to all parties currently suspended.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Veterans, Service members, and Reservists; spouses, surviving
spouses, dependents, and other beneficiaries of the Veteran; accredited
service organizations and other VA-approved representatives of the
Veteran; VA-supervised fiduciaries (e.g., VA Federal fiduciaries);
military service departments; VA medical facilities and physicians;
private medical facilities and physicians; education and rehabilitation
training establishments; state and local agencies; other Federal
agencies including the DoD, Social Security Administration (SSA), and
U.S. Department of the Treasury; state, local, and county courts and
clerks; Federal, state, and local penal institutions and correctional
facilities; other third parties and other VA records; Office of
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; lending institutions holding a
Veteran's or uniformed services member's mortgage; VA Loan Guaranty
records; contractors remodeling or enlarging or adding construction to
existing homes; relatives and other interested persons; Westlaw and
InfoUSA); brokers and builder/sellers; credit and financial reporting
agencies; an applicant's credit sources; depository institutions and
employers; independent auditors and accountants; hazard insurance
companies; taxing authorities; title companies; fee personnel; business
and professional organizations; the general public; and other parties
of interest involving VA-guaranteed, insured, vendee or direct loans or
specially adapted housing.
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Note: To the extent that records contained in this system include
information protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332, that information cannot be
disclosed under a routine use unless there is also specific disclosure
authority in that provision.
1. Congress: To a Member of Congress or staff acting upon the
Member's behalf when the Member or staff requests the information on
behalf of, and at the request of, the individual who is the subject of
the record.
2. Data Breach Response and Remediation, for VA: To appropriate
agencies, entities, and persons when (a) VA suspects or has confirmed
that there has been a breach of the system of records; (b) VA has
determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed breach there
is a risk of harm to individuals, VA (including its information
systems, programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national
security; and (c) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and
persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with VA's
efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent,
minimize, or remedy such harm.
3. Data Breach Response and Remediation, for another Federal
Agency: To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when VA determines
that information from this system of records is reasonably necessary to
assist the recipient agency or entity in (a) responding to a suspected
or confirmed breach or (b) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the
risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including
its information systems, programs, and operations), the Federal
Government, or national security, resulting from a suspected or
confirmed breach.
4. Law Enforcement: To a Federal, state, local, territorial,
tribal, or foreign law enforcement authority or other appropriate
entity charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting
a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal, or
regulatory in nature, or charged with enforcing or implementing such
law, provided that the disclosure is limited to information that,
either alone or in conjunction with other information, indicates such a
violation or potential violation. A disclosure of information about
Veterans or their dependents from VA claims files under this routine
use must also comply with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 5701(f).
5. Department of Justice (DOJ), for Litigation, Administrative
Proceeding: To the DOJ, or in a proceeding before a court, adjudicative
body, or other administrative body before which VA is authorized to
appear, when any of the following is a party to such proceedings or has
an interest in such proceedings, and VA determines that use of such
records is relevant and necessary to the proceedings:
(a) VA or any component thereof;
(b) Any VA employee in his or her official capacity;
(c) Any VA employee in his or her individual capacity where DOJ has
agreed to represent the employee; or
(d) The United States, where VA determines that litigation is
likely to affect the agency or any of its components.
6. Contractors: To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants,
students, and others performing or working on a contract, service,
grant, cooperative agreement, or other assignment for VA, when
reasonably necessary to accomplish an agency function related to the
records.
7. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): To OPM in connection with
the application or effect of civil service laws, rules, regulations, or
OPM guidelines in particular situations.
8. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): To the EEOC in
connection with investigations of alleged or possible discriminatory
practices, examination of Federal affirmative employment programs, or
other functions of the Commission as authorized by law.
9. Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA): To the FLRA in
connection with the investigation and resolution of allegations of
unfair labor practices, the resolution of exceptions to arbitration
awards when a question of material fact is raised, matters before the
Federal Service Impasses Panel, and the investigation of representation
petitions and the conduct or supervision of representation elections.
10. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB): To the MSPB in
connection with appeals, special studies of the civil service and other
merit systems, review of rules and regulations, investigation of
alleged or possible prohibited personnel practices, and such other
functions promulgated in 5 U.S.C. 1205 and 1206, or as authorized by
law.
11. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): To NARA in
records management inspections conducted under 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906,
or other functions authorized by laws and policies governing NARA
operations and VA records management responsibilities.
12. Federal, State, Local Agencies, Hiring, Retention, Contract,
Security Clearance, Grant, or Permit: To a Federal, state, or local
agency maintaining civil or criminal violation records, or other
pertinent information such as prior employment history, prior
Federal employment background investigations, and/or personal or
educational background in order for the VA to obtain information
relevant to the hiring, transfer or retention of an employee, the
letting of a contract, the
[[Page 44468]]
granting of a security clearance, or the issuance of a grant or other
benefit. The names and home addresses of Veterans and their dependents
may be disclosed to a Federal agency in order to respond to the VA
inquiry.
13. State or Local Agencies, for Employment: To a state or local
agency, upon official request, to the extent that it is relevant and
necessary to that agency's decision on: the hiring, retention or
transfer of an employee; the issuance of a security clearance; the
letting of a contract; or the issuance or continuance of a license,
grant or other benefit by that agency including eligibility for
unemployment compensation; provided, that if the information pertains
to a Veteran, the name and address of the Veteran will not be disclosed
unless the name and address are provided first by the requesting state
or local agency.
14. Nonprofit Organizations: To any nonprofit organization if the
release is directly connected with the conduct of programs and the
utilization of benefits under title 38 U.S.C. Disclosures may be in the
form of a computerized list; releases may include the name, address,
entitlement code (e.g., compensation or pension), period(s) of service,
sex, and date(s) of discharge may be disclosed
15. Federal Agencies, Title 38 Benefits: To a Federal agency in
order for VA to obtain information relevant to the issuance of a
benefit under title 38 U.S.C.
16. Consumer Reporting Agencies: To a consumer reporting agency for
the purpose of locating the individual, obtaining a consumer report to
determine the ability of the individual to repay an indebtedness to the
United States, or assisting in the collection of such indebtedness,
provided that the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5701(g)(2) and (4) have been
met, provided that the disclosure is limited to information that is
reasonably necessary to identify such individual or concerning that
individual's indebtedness to the United States by virtue of the
person's participation in a benefits program administered by the
Department.
17. Any information in this system, including available identifying
information regarding the debtor, such as name of debtor, last known
address of debtor, VA insurance number, VA loan number, VA claim
number, place of birth, date of birth of debtor, name and address of
debtor's employer or firm and dates of employment may be disclosed,
under this routine use, except to consumer reporting agencies, to a
third party in order to obtain current name, address, locator, and
credit report in connection with any proceeding for the collection of
an amount owed to the United States by virtue of a person's
participation in any VA benefit program when in the judgment of the
Secretary such disclosure is deemed necessary and proper. This purpose
is consistent with the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 (Pub. L.
89-508, 31 U.S.C. 951-953, and 4 CFR parts 101-105 and 38 U.S.C.
5701(b)(6)).
18. Any information in this system, including the nature and amount
of a financial obligation, may be disclosed to a debtor's employing
agency or commanding officer so that the debtor-employee may be
counseled by his or her Federal employer or commanding officer and to
assist in the collection of unpaid financial obligations owed VA.
19. Payment information may be disclosed to the Department of the
Treasury, in accordance with its official request, to permit delivery
of benefit payments to Veterans or other beneficiaries.
20. Medical information may be disclosed in response to a request
from the superintendent of a state hospital for psychotic patients, a
commissioner or head of a state department of mental hygiene, or a head
of a state, county or city health department or any fee basis physician
or sharing institution in direct connection with authorized treatment
for a Veteran, provided the name of the individual to whom the record
pertains is given and the information will be treated as confidential,
as is customary in civilian professional medical practice.
21. The name, address, VA file number, effective date of
compensation or pension, current and historical benefit pay amounts for
compensation or pension, service information, date of birth, competency
payment status, incarceration status, and social security number of
Veterans and their surviving spouses may be disclosed to the following
agencies upon their official request: DoD; Defense Manpower Data
Center; Marine Corps; Department of Homeland Security; Coast Guard;
Public Health Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and Commissioned Officer Corps in order for these departments and
agencies and VA to reconcile the amount and/or waiver of service,
department, and retired pay. These records may also be disclosed as a
part of an ongoing computer-matching program to accomplish these
purposes. This purpose is consistent with 10 U.S.C. 12316, 38 U.S.C.
5304, and 38 U.S.C. 5701.
22. The amount of pension, compensation, dependency and indemnity
compensation, educational assistance allowance, retirement pay, and
subsistence allowance of any individual identified to VA may be
disclosed to any person who applies for such information as authorized
by 38 U.S.C. 5701(c)(1).
23. Identifying, personal, payment, and medical information may be
disclosed to a Federal, state, or local government agency at the
request of a Veteran in order to assist the Veteran and ensure that all
of the title 38 U.S.C. or other benefits to which the Veteran is
entitled are received. This information may also be disclosed upon the
request from a Federal agency, or to a state or local agency, provided
the name and address of the Veteran is given beforehand by the
requesting agency, in order to assist the Veteran in obtaining a non-
title 38 U.S.C. benefit to which the Veteran is entitled. These records
may also be disclosed as part of an ongoing computer-matching program
to accomplish this purpose.
24. Any information in this system, which directly affects payment
or potential payment of benefits to contesting claimants, including
parties claiming an apportioned share of benefits, may be coequally
disclosed to each affected claimant upon request from that claimant in
conjunction with the claim for benefits sought or received.
25. Any information in this system, such as identifying
information, nature of a claim, amount of benefit payments, percentage
of disability, income, and medical expense information maintained by VA
which is used to determine the amount payable to recipients of VA
income-dependent benefits and personal information, may be disclosed to
the SSA, upon its official request, in order for that agency to
determine eligibility regarding amounts of social security benefits, or
to verify other information with respect thereto. These records may
also be disclosed as part of an ongoing computer-matching program to
accomplish this purpose.
26. VA may disclose an individual's identifying information to an
educational institution, training establishment, or other entity which
administers programs approved for VA educational assistance in order to
assist the individual in completing claims forms, to obtain information
necessary to adjudicate the individual's claim, or to monitor the
progress of the individual who is pursuing or intends to pursue
training at the request of the appropriate institution, training
establishment, or other entity administrating approved VA educational
programs or at the request of the Veteran.
[[Page 44469]]
27. VA may disclose information from this system, except the names
and home addresses of Veterans and their dependents (unless name and
address is furnished by the requester), for research purposes
determined to be necessary and proper to epidemiological and other
research facilities approved by the Under Secretary for Health.
28. Federal Agencies, for Research: To a Federal agency for the
purpose of conducting research and data analysis to perform a statutory
purpose of that Federal agency upon the written request of that agency.
29. Claims Representatives, for Title 38 Benefits: To accredited
service organizations, VA-approved claim agents, and attorneys acting
under a declaration of representation, upon request, so that these
individuals can aid claimants in the preparation, presentation, and
prosecution of claims under the laws administered by VA, provided that
the disclosure is limited to information relevant to a claim, such as
the name, address, the basis and nature of a claim, amount of benefit
payment information, medical information, and military service and
active duty separation information.
30. Identifying and payment information may be disclosed, upon the
request of a Federal agency, to a state or local government agency, to
determine a beneficiary's eligibility under programs provided for under
Federal legislation and for which the requesting Federal agency has
responsibility. These records may also be disclosed as a part of an
ongoing computer-matching program to accomplish these purposes. This
purpose is consistent with 38 U.S.C. 5701.
31. Guardians, Courts, for Incompetent Veterans: To a court,
magistrate, or administrative tribunal in matters of guardianship,
inquests, and commitments; to private attorneys representing Veterans
rated incompetent in conjunction with issuance of Certificates of
Incompetency; or to probation and parole officers in connection with
court-required duties.
32. Guardians Ad Litem, for Representation: To a fiduciary or
guardian ad litem in relation to their representation of a claimant in
any legal proceeding as relevant and necessary to fulfill the duties of
the fiduciary or guardian ad litem.
33. Federal Agencies, Courts, Litigants, for Litigation or
Administrative Proceedings: To another Federal agency, court, or party
engaged in or in anticipation of litigation before a court or in an
administrative proceeding conducted by a Federal agency, when the
Government is a party to the judicial or administrative proceeding.
34. Any information in this system including the name, social
security number, date of birth, delimiting date, and remaining
entitlement of VA educational benefits, may be disclosed to the
Department of Education (ED) upon its official request, or contractor
thereof, for specific use by the ED to validate information regarding
entitlement to VA benefits that is submitted by applicants who request
educational assistance grants from the ED. The ED or contractor thereof
will not use such information for any other purpose. These records may
also be disclosed as part of an ongoing computer-matching program to
accomplish this purpose.
35. VA may, at the request of the individual, disclose identifying
information of an individual who is pursuing or intends to pursue
training at an educational institution, training establishment, or
other entity which administers programs approved for VA educational
assistance in order for the VA to obtain sufficient information
necessary to pay that individual or the educational or training
establishment the correct monetary amounts in an expeditious manner.
However, information will not be provided under this routine use to an
educational institution, training establishment, or other entity when
the request is clearly an attempt by that establishment to seek
assistance in collection attempts against the individual.
36. Identifying information and information regarding the
induction, reentrance, and dismissal of a disabled Veteran from a
Veteran readiness program may be disclosed at the request of the
Veteran to a VA-approved Veteran readiness training establishment to
ensure that the trainee receives the maximum benefit from training.
37. Identifying information and information regarding the extent
and nature of a Veteran's disabilities with respect to any limitations
to be imposed on the Veteran's vocational programs may be disclosed at
the request of the Veteran to a VA-approved Veteran readiness training
establishment to ensure that the trainee receives the maximum benefit
from training.
38. Information regarding the type and amount of training/education
received, and the name and address of a Veteran, may be disclosed at
the request of a Veteran to local and State agencies and to prospective
employers in order to assist the Veteran in obtaining employment or
further training.
39. The name, claims file number, and any other information
relating to a Veteran's or beneficiary's incarceration in a penal
institution and information regarding a dependent's right to a special
apportionment of the incarcerated individual's VA benefit payment may
be disclosed to those dependents who may be eligible for entitlement to
such apportionment in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 5313 and 5307.
40. The name, claims file number, and any other information
relating to an individual who may be incarcerated in a penal
institution may, pursuant to an arrangement, be disclosed to penal
institutions or to correctional authorities in order to verify
information concerning the individual's incarceration status. The
disclosure of this information is necessary to determine that
individual's continuing eligibility as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 5313,
5307. These records may also be disclosed as part of an ongoing
computer-matching program to accomplish this purpose.
41. Identifying information, except for the name and address of a
Veteran, may be disclosed to a state agency for the purpose of
conducting a computer match to determine if income and employment data
are being properly reported to VA and to detect the unwarranted payment
of benefits under title 38 U.S.C.
42. Identifying, disability, and award (type, amount and reasons
for award) information may be released to the Department of Labor (DOL)
in order for the DOL to conduct a computer matching program against the
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Federal Employees Compensation
File, DOL/ESA-13, published in 46 FR 12357 on February 13, 1981. This
match will permit the DOL to verify a person's eligibility for DOL
payments as well as to detect situations where recipients may be
erroneously receiving concurrent multiple payments from the DOL and VA,
to identify areas where legislative and regulatory amendments directed
toward preventing overpayments are needed, and to collect debts owed to
the United States Government. This matching program is performed
pursuant to the DOL Inspector General's authority under Public Law 95-
452, section 4(a) to detect and prevent fraud and abuse. This
disclosure is consistent with 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(3).
43. Treasury, to Report Waived Debt as Income: To the Department of
the Treasury as a report of income under 26 U.S.C. 61(a)(12), provided
that the disclosure is limited to information
[[Page 44470]]
concerning an individual's indebtedness that is waived under 38 U.S.C.
3102, compromised under 4 CFR part 103, otherwise forgiven, or for
which the applicable statute of limitations for enforcing collection
has expired.
44. Federal, State, County, or Municipal Agencies, for Computer
Matches: To a Federal, state, county, or municipal agency for the
purpose of conducting computer matches to obtain information to
validate the entitlement of an individual, who is receiving or has
received Veterans' benefits under title 10 or title 38 U.S.C.
45. Identifying information, including the initials and abbreviated
surname, the social security number, the date of birth, and coding
indicating the category of the individual's records, the degree of
disability, the benefit program under which benefits are being paid and
the computed amount of VA benefits for a calendar year may be released
to the Department of the Treasury, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
in order for IRS to conduct a computer matching program against IRS
Forms 1040, Schedule R, Credit for the Elderly and the Permanently and
Totally Disabled. This match will permit IRS to determine the
eligibility for and the proper amount of Elderly and Disabled Credits
claimed on IRS Form 1040, Schedule R. This matching program is
performed pursuant to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section
7602.
46. Identifying information, such as name, social security number,
VA claim number, date and place of birth, etc., in this system may be
disclosed to an employer or school having information relevant to a
claim in order to obtain information from the employer or school to the
extent necessary to determine that eligibility for VA compensation or
pension benefits continues to exist or to verify that there has been an
overpayment of VA compensation or pension benefits. Any information in
this system also may be disclosed to any of the above-entitled
individuals or entities as part of ongoing computer matching programs
to accomplish these purposes.
47. Treasury, for Withholding: To the Department of the Treasury
for the collection of title 38 benefit overpayments, overdue
indebtedness, or costs of services provided to an individual not
entitled to such services, by the withholding of all or a portion of
the person's Federal income tax refund, provided that the disclosure is
limited to information concerning an individual's indebtedness by
virtue of a person's participation in a benefits program administered
by VA.
48. Veterans' addresses which are contained in this system of
records may be disclosed to the Defense Manpower Data Center, upon its
official request, for military recruiting command needs, DoD civilian
personnel offices' mobilization studies and mobilization information,
debt collection, and Individual Ready Reserve Units' locator services.
49. The name, address, VA file number, date of birth, date of
death, social security number, and service information may be disclosed
to the Defense Manpower Data Center. DoD will use this information to
identify retired Veterans and dependent members of their families who
have entitlement to DoD benefits but who are not identified in the
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System program and to assist
in determining eligibility for Civilian Health and Medical Program of
the Uniformed Services benefits. This purpose is consistent with 38
U.S.C. 5701. These records may also be disclosed as part of an ongoing
computer-matching program to accomplish this purpose.
50. The name, address, VA file number, social security number, sex
of Veteran, date(s) of birth of the Veteran and dependents, current
benefit pay amounts for compensation or pension, pay status, check
amount, aid and attendance status, Veteran and spouse annual income
amounts, and type and combined degree of disability will be disclosed
to the Department of Health and Human Services. The SSA will use the
data in the administration of the Supplemental Security Income payment
system as prescribed by Public Law 92-603. These records may also be
disclosed as part of an ongoing computer-matching program to accomplish
these purposes. This purpose is consistent with 38 U.S.C. 5701.
51. The names and current addresses of VA beneficiaries who are
identified by finance centers of individual uniformed services of DoD
and the Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) as responsible
for the payment of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premium payments to be
released from this system of records to them upon their official
written request for such information for their use in attempting to
recover amounts owed for SBP premium payments.
52. This routine use authorizes VA to compile lists of the social
security numbers and loan account numbers of all persons with VA-
guaranteed and portfolio loans in default, or VA loans on which there
has been a foreclosure and the Department paid a claim, and provide
these records to HUD for inclusion in its CAIVRS. Information included
in this system may be disclosed to all participating agencies and
lenders who participate in the agencies' programs to enable them to
verify information provided by new loan applicants and evaluate the
creditworthiness of applicants. These records may also be disclosed as
part of an ongoing computer-matching program to accomplish these
purposes.
53. SSA, for Social Security Number Validation: VA may disclose
names and social security numbers of Veterans, spouses of Veterans, and
the beneficiaries of Veterans, and other identifying information as is
reasonably necessary may be disclosed to SSA, Department of Health and
Human Services, for the purpose of conducting computer matches to
obtain information to validate the social security numbers maintained
in VA records. This information may also be disclosed as part of a
computer matching agreement to accomplish this purpose.
54. Any information contained in the files of Veterans whose claims
were referred to VA Central Office for an advisory opinion concerning
their claims that their disabilities were incurred secondary to
occupational radiation exposure may be disclosed to the Department of
the Navy (DON). The information to be furnished to DON would include
the medical opinions, dose estimates, advisory opinions, and rating
decisions including Veterans' names, addresses, VA claim numbers,
social security numbers, and medical information. The requested
information may be disclosed to DON upon receipt of its official
written request for such information for its use in the review and
assessment of its occupational radiation exposure controls and
training.
55. A Veteran's claims file number and folder location may be
disclosed to a court of proper jurisdiction that has issued a
garnishment order for that Veteran under 42 U.S.C. 659 through 660.
56. An individual's identifying and payment information may be
disclosed to the educational institution, training establishment, or
other entity the individual attends (or attended) if that individual
received educational assistance from VA based on training at that
educational institution, training establishment, or entity. VA will
disclose this information to assist the educational institution,
training establishment, or other entity in verifying the individual's
receipt of VA educational assistance and to assist the individual in
applying for additional financial aid (e.g., student loans).
[[Page 44471]]
57. The name and address of a prospective, present, or former
accredited representative, claims agent or attorney, and any
information concerning such individual which is relevant to a refusal
to grant access privileges to automated Veterans' claims records, or a
potential or past suspension or termination of such access privileges
may be disclosed to the entity employing the individual to represent
Veterans on claims for Veterans benefits.
58. The name and address of a former accredited representative,
claim agent or attorney, and any information concerning such
individual, except a Veteran's name and home address, which is relevant
to a revocation of such access privileges may be disclosed to an
appropriate governmental licensing organization where VA determines
that the individual's conduct that resulted in revocation merits
reporting.
59. A record from this system (other than the address of the
beneficiary) may be disclosed to a former representative of a
beneficiary to the extent necessary to develop and adjudicate a claim
for payment of attorney fees to such representative from past-due
benefits under 38 U.S.C. 5904(d) and Public Law 109-461 or to review a
fee agreement between such representative and the beneficiary for
reasonableness under 38 U.S.C. 5904(c)(2) and Public Law 109-461.
60. Disclosure of tax returns and return information received from
the IRS may be made only as provided by 26 U.S.C. 6103 (an IRS
confidentiality statute) also covering any IRS tax return information
provided as part of an ongoing computer matching program.
61. Where VA determines that there is good cause to question the
legality or ethical propriety of the conduct of a person or
organization representing a person in a matter before VA, a record from
this system may be disclosed, on VA's initiative, to any or all of the
following: (1) applicable civil or criminal law enforcement authorities
and (2) a person or entity responsible for the licensing, supervision,
or professional discipline of the person or organization acting as a
representative.
62. The name and address of a beneficiary, and other information as
is reasonably necessary to identify such a beneficiary, who has been
adjudicated as incompetent under 38 CFR 3.353, may be provided to the
Attorney General of the United States or his/her designee, for use by
the DOJ in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
mandated by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 103-
159.
63. Disclosure to other Federal agencies may be made to assist such
agencies in preventing and detecting possible fraud, waste,
overpayment, or abuse by individuals in their operations and programs
as well as identifying areas where legislative and regulatory
amendments directed toward preventing overpayments. These records may
also be disclosed as part of an ongoing computer-matching program to
accomplish this purpose.
64. VA may disclose information to other Federal Agencies
including, but not limited to, identifying information, payment
information, and vocational objectives about a Veteran or Service
member who is receiving or has received benefits under the Veteran
Readiness program to be used in data analysis and development of
performance measures.
65. Any information contained in this system may be disclosed by
VA, as deemed necessary, to DoD for use for determinations required by
DoD. VA will routinely use the information to conduct medical
evaluations needed to produce VA disability ratings and to promulgate
subsequent claims for benefits under title 38 U.S.C.
66. Information in this system (excluding date of birth, social
security number, and address) relating to the use of transferred
educational assistance benefits may be coequally disclosed to the
transferor, (e.g., the individual from whom eligibility was derived)
and to each transferee (e.g., the individual receiving the transferred
benefit). The information disclosed is limited to the two parties in
each transferor-transferee relationship, as the transferor may have
multiple transferred relationships.
67. Any information in this system of records may be disclosed, in
the course of presenting evidence in or to a court, magistrate,
administrative tribunal, or grand jury, including disclosures to
opposing counsel in the course of such proceedings or in settlement
negotiations.
68. Phone Operators, for the Hearing-Impaired: VA may disclose
information from this system of records to telephone company operators
acting in a capacity to facilitate phone calls to or for hearing-
impaired individuals, such as Veterans or authorized agents, using
telephone devices for the hearing-impaired, including
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf or Text Telephones.
69. Any information in this system, including name, address, social
security number, VA file number, medical records, financial records,
and field examination reports of a VA beneficiary, and the name,
address, and information regarding the activities of a VA-appointed
fiduciary or beneficiary may be disclosed at the request of a VA
beneficiary or fiduciary to a Federal, state, or local agency in order
for VA to obtain information relevant to a VA decision concerning the
payment and usage of funds payable by VA on behalf of a beneficiary, or
to enable VA to assist a beneficiary or VA-appointed fiduciary in
obtaining the maximum amount of benefits for a VA beneficiary from a
Federal, state, or local agency.
70. VA may disclose Veteran identifying information, to include
only the identifiers of name, address, and social security number, to
the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children
and Families' Office of Child Support and Enforcement, to be used to
obtain new hire information from the National Directory of New Hires
for the purpose of tracking the employment of Veterans pursuant to
Section 453A(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653a(h)).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
Compensation and Pension-related claims, records (or information
contained in records) are 100% digitized and stored in the VBMS
electronic folder (VBMS eFolder). All paper documents VA receives
pursuant to a Compensation or Pension claim are converted to a digital
image via VA's electronic imaging process and uploaded into the VBMS
eFolder.
VR&E claims are maintained on paper, electronic folders, and on
automated storage media (e.g., microfilm, microfiche, magnetic tape,
and disks). Texts and emails from the Veterans pursuant to a VR&E claim
are stored in the Corporate Database as a Corporate WINRS Case Note,
which becomes the official record. Any texts and emails stored in the
cloud/contractor server are considered duplicate copies.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
Records, whether paper or electronic, are retrieved by name of the
individual and VA file number. Automated records are retrieved by name,
VA file number, payee name, and type of benefit. Employee productivity
records are retrieved by employee BDN identification number. Records in
CAIVRS may only be retrieved by social security number.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Compensation and Pension claims records are retained indefinitely.
Claim file folders for Compensation and
[[Page 44472]]
Pension claims are electronically imaged and uploaded into the VBMS
eFolder. Once a file is electronically imaged and established by VA as
the official record, its paper contents (with the exception of
documents that are on hold due to pending litigation, and service
treatment records and other documents that are the property of DoD) are
reclassified as duplicate--non record keeping--copies of the official
record, and will be destroyed in accordance with the schedule approved
by the Archivist of the United States, Records Control Schedule (RCS)
VB-1, Part 1, Field, Section XIII, Item 13-052.100. Decisions to
destroy VR&E paper counseling records are to be made in accordance with
the schedule approved by the Archivist of the United States RCS VB-1,
Part I, Field in Section VII.
VR&E paper counseling records utilized as temporary working
information are retained until a claim for educational benefits is
decided. Once records are digitized and verified as wholly available in
VBMS, destruction of paper copies shall occur in accordance with VBA
RCS VB-1, Part I, Field, dated January 31, 2014. Education file folders
in paper format shall be destroyed in accordance with VBA Records
Control Schedule VB-1, Part I, dated January 31, 2014
Education file folders in paper are retained at the servicing
Regional Processing Office. Education paper folders may be destroyed in
accordance with the schedule approved by the Archivist of the United
States, RCS VB-1, Part 1, Field, Section VII.
Employee productivity records are maintained for four years or
longer if required for business use in accordance with the schedule
approved by the Archivist of the United States, RCS VB-1, Part 1,
Field, Item 05-070.000.
File information for CAIVRS is provided to HUD by VA on magnetic
tape. After information from the tapes has been read into the computer
the tapes are returned to VA for updating. HUD does not keep separate
copies of the tapes.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
1. Physical Security:
(a) Access to working spaces and claims folder file storage areas
in VA regional offices and centers is restricted to VA employees on a
need-to-know basis. Generally, file areas are locked after normal duty
hours and the offices and centers are protected from outside access by
the Federal Protective Service or other security personnel. Employee
claims file records and claims file records of public figures are
stored in separate locked files. Strict control measures are enforced
to ensure that access to and disclosure from these claims file records
are limited to a need-to-know basis. Duplicate paper copies after
imaging are stored in NARA-compliant facilities, pending destruction.
(b) Access to BDN, Legacy Content Manager (LCM), Corporate WINRS
(Waco, Texas, Indianapolis, Indiana, Newark, New Jersey, Roanoke,
Virginia, and Seattle, Washington), VETSNET, and VBMS data
telecommunication networks are by authorization controlled by the site
security officer who is responsible for authorizing access to the BDN,
LCM, VBMS, and VETSNET by a claimant's representative or attorney
approved for access in accordance with VA regulations. The site
security officer is responsible for ensuring that the hardware,
software, and security practices of a representative or attorney
satisfy VA security requirements before granting access. The security
requirements applicable to the access of automated claims files by VA
employees also apply to the access of automated claims files by
claimants' representatives or attorneys. The security officer is
assigned responsibility for privacy-security measures, especially for
review of violation logs, information logs, and control of password
distribution, including password distribution for claimants'
representatives.
(c) Access to data processing centers is generally restricted to
center employees, custodial personnel, Federal Protective Service, and
other security personnel. Access to computer rooms is restricted to
authorized operational personnel through electronic locking devices.
All other persons provided access to computer rooms are escorted.
(d) Employee production records are identified by the confidential
BDN and VETSNET employee identification number and are protected by
management/supervisory personnel from unauthorized disclosure in the
same manner as other confidential records maintained by supervisors.
2. BDN, LCM, VETSNET, e-VA, and VBMS System Security:
(a) Usage of the BDN, LCM, Corporate WINRS, VETSNET, e-VA, and VBMS
systems is protected by the usage of ``login'' identification passwords
and authorized function passwords. The passwords are changed
periodically. These same protections apply to remote access users.
(b) At the data processing centers, identification of magnetic
tapes and disks containing data is rigidly enforced using labeling
techniques. Automated storage media, which are not in use, are stored
in tape libraries, which are secured in locked rooms. Access to
programs is controlled at three levels: programming, auditing and
operations. Access to the data processing centers where HUD maintains
CAIVRS is generally restricted to center employees and authorized
subcontractors. Access to computer rooms is restricted to center
employees and authorized operational personnel through electronic
locking devices. All other persons granted access to computer rooms are
escorted. Files in CAIVRS use social security numbers as identifiers.
Access to information files is restricted to authorized employees of
participating agencies and authorized employees of lenders who
participate in the agencies' programs. Access is controlled by agency
distribution of passwords. Information in the system may be accessed by
use of a touch-tone telephone by authorized agency and lender employees
on a ``need-to-know'' basis.
3. e-VA System Security:
A unique SSL certificate has been generated for this connection
that provides authentication for the e-VA applications, which enables
an encrypted connection. Short Message Service (SMS) text messages are
processed using a secure SMS gateway hosted by Twilio. The client's
first and last name (the only personally identifiable information in
the text message) are encrypted when the information is passed back and
forth. Emails are processed by Amazon Web Services Simple Email Service
using Transport Layer Security protocol, which is a cryptographic
protocol designed to provide communications security over a computer
network. All emails to participants are sent from a single email
address (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#55302334153023347b23347b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b1e0d1a3b1e0d1a550d1a551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>).
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking information on the existence and content of
records in this system pertaining to them should contact the system
manager in writing as indicated above. A request for access to records
must contain the requester's full name, address, telephone number, be
signed by the requester, and describe the records sought in sufficient
detail to enable VA personnel to locate them with a reasonable amount
of effort.
Note: Remote on-line access is also made available at authorized
remote sites, for representatives of claimants and to attorneys of
record for claimants. A VA claimant must execute a prior written
consent or a power of attorney authorizing access to his or her claims
[[Page 44473]]
records before VA will allow the representative or attorney to have
access to the claimant's automated claims records. Access by
representatives and attorneys of record is to be used solely for the
purpose of assisting an individual claimant whose records are accessed
in a claim for benefits administered by VA. Information relating to
receivable accounts owed to VA.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking to contest or amend records in this system
pertaining to them should contact the system manager in writing as
indicated above. A request to contest or amend records must state
clearly and concisely what record is being contested, the reasons for
contesting it, and the proposed amendment to the record.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Individuals who wish to be notified if a record in this system of
records pertains to them should submit the request following the
procedures described in ``Record Access Procedures,'' above.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
Originally published on March 3, 1976; most recent amendments can
be found at: 74 FR 29275 (June 19, 2009); 75 FR 22187 (April 27, 2010);
77 FR 42594 (July 19, 2012); 84 FR 4138, (February 14, 2019); and 86 FR
61858 (November 8, 2021).
[FR Doc. 2025-17709 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 15, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.