[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2655-2656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-789]


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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, 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 February 17, 2009. At the 
expiration of 18 months after the commencing date the Departments may 
renew the agreement for another 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Patterson (225B), Strategy and 
Legislative Development Team Leader, Education Service, Veterans 
Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9830.

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 58VA21/22/28 
entitled: Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records--

[[Page 2656]]

VA, first published in the Federal Register at 41 FR 9294 (March 3, 
1976), and last amended at 73 FR 51348 (September 2, 2008), with other 
amendments as cited therein.
    e. Inclusive dates of the matching program: The match will begin on 
February 17, 2009 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 1068, Washington, DC 20420; fax to (202) 273-9026; or 
through www.Regulations.gov. All comments received will be available 
for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and 
Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for 
an appointment.

    Approved: December 31, 2008.
James B. Peake,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E9-789 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]
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