60VA21

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Individuals who are repatriated prisoners of war, including but not limited to those of World War II; Korean Conflict; Vietnam Era; Pueblo Crisis; the members of the group known as Civilian Employees, Pacific Naval Air Bases, who actively participated in the defense of Wake Island and were determined to be eligible for veterans' benefits under Pub. L. 95-202; and those determined by the VA to have been held as prisoners of war during peacetime.

Categories of records in the system:
Personal identification information related to the POW experience and identifying data, e.g., name, Social Security number, file number, service number, date of birth, date of death (if applicable), period of service, branch of service, entitlement code, aid and attendance or household status, number of service-connected disabilities, number of days internal as a POW, place of internment and hospital discharge data.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
Section 102, Pub. L. 96-22, June 13,1979; 38 U.S.C. 612; Pub. L. 97-37, August 14, 1981; 38 U.S.C. 101. 221. 312. 610 and 612; and 38 U.S.C. 210(c)(1).

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purposes of such uses:

1. The record of an individual who is covered by this system may be disclosed to a member of Congress or staff person acting for member when the member or staff person requests the record on behalf of and at the request of that individual.
2. Any information in this system relevant to a veteran's claim such as the name, military service information and the number of days interned as a POW may be disclosed at the request of the veteran to accredited service organizations, VA-approved claims agents and attorneys acting under a declaration of representation so that these individuals can aid veterans in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims under the laws administered by the VA. The name of a veteran will not, however, be disclosed to these individuals under this routine use if the veteran has not requested the assistance of an accredited service organization, claims agent or an attorney.
3. Any information in this system may be disclosed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs (POW/ MIA), upon their official request, in order to aid the Department in verifying the status of individuals who were prisoners of war or missing in action and/or in determining their most recent location.
4. Any information in this system may be disclosed to NARA (National Archives and Records Administration), upon their official request, in order that NARA may produce extracts to perform statistical analysis; reconstruct military personnel records information; and respond to inquiries from the general public.
5. Any information in this system (excluding the name of a veteran unless the name is furnished by the requestor) may be disclosed to epidemiological and other research facilities approved by the Chief Medical Director to obtain data from those facilities necessary to assist in medical studies on veterans for the Veterans Administration or for any research purposes determined to be necessary and proper by the Chief Medical Director.
6. The name(s) of a veteran may be disclosed to another Federal agency or to a contractor of that agency at the written request of the head of that agency for the purpose of conducting government research necessary to accomplish a statutory purpose of that agency.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system:

Storage:
Records are maintained on magnetic tape and microfiche.

Retrievabilty:
The magnetic tape is indexed by the veteran's service, VA file or Social Security number. The microfiche is indexed by the veteran's name with secondary verification by the veteran's service, VA file or Social Security number.

Safeguards:

1. Access to the basic file in the Austin DPC (Data Processing Center) is restricted to authorized VA employees and vendors. Access to the computer room where the magnetic tape is located within the DPC is further restricted to specifically authorized employees and is protected by an alarm system, the Federal Protective Service, and other VA security personnel.
2. Access to microfiche listing and readers is restricted to authorized VA employees on a ``need to know`` basis. The microfiche is stored in protected drawers and protected from outside use by the Federal Protective Service.

Retention and disposal:
Records are maintained on magnetic tape and microfiche and are retained and disposed of in accordance with disposition and authorization approved by the Archivist of the United States.

System manager(s) sand address:
Director, Compensation and pension Service (21), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

Notification procedure:
Any individual who wishes to determine whether a record is being maintained in this system under his or her name or other personal identifier, or wants to determine the contents of such record should submit a written request or apply in person to the nearest VA regional office or medical center. Addresses for these offices may be found in VA Appendix 1 at the end of this document. Inquiries should include as much of the following information as possible: The veteran's full name, VA file number, service number and Social Security number.

Record access procedures:
Individuals seeking information regarding access to and contesting of VA records in this system may write, call or visit the nearest VA regional office of medical center.

Contesting record procedures:
See Record access procedures above.

Record source categories:
The Department of Defense, National Archives and Records Administration, and VA records such as the Patient Treatment File, the Veterans and Beneficiary Indentification and Records Locator Subsystem, and Veterans, Dependents and Beneficiaries Compensation Pension records.

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