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38 CFR 1.554 - Exemptions from public access to agency records.

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§ 1.554
Exemptions from public access to agency records.
(a) The exemptions in this paragraph constitute authority to withhold from disclosure certain categories of information in Department of Veterans Affairs records except that any reasonably segregable portion of a record shall be provided to any person requesting such record after deletion of the portions which are exempt under this paragraph.
(1) Specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national defense or foreign policy, and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order.
(2) Related solely to internal Department of Veterans Affairs personnel rules and practices.
(3) Specifically exempted from disclosure by statute other than 5 U.S.C. 552b, provided that such statute:
(i) Requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or
(ii) Establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld.
(4) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from any person and privileged or confidential.
(5) Interagency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a private party in litigation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(6) Personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
(7) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement records or information:
(i) Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings;
(ii) Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication;
(iii) Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(iv) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation, or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source;
(v) Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law, or
(vi) Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.
(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(7) )
(8) Contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.
(9) Geological and geophysical information and data (including maps) concerning wells.
(b) Information in the categories exempted under paragraph (a) of this section, other than in paragraph (a)(3) which is applicable to Department of Veterans Affairs claimant records, will be released only as authorized in § 1.550. The release of information from Department of Veterans Affairs claimant records will be made only in accordance with §§ 1.501 through 1.526.
(c) (1) Whenever a request is made which involves access to records described in paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section and
(i) The investigation or proceeding involves a possible violation of criminal law, and
(ii) There is reason to believe that
(A) The subject of the investigation or proceeding is not aware of its pendency, and
(B) Disclosure of the existence of the records could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, the Agency may, during only such time as that circumstance continues, treat the records as not subject to the requirements of this section.
(2) Whenever informant records maintained by a criminal law enforcement agency under an informant's name or personal identifier are requested by a third party according to the informant's name or personal identifier, the Department may treat the records as not subject to the requirements of this section unless the informant's status as an informant has been officially confirmed.
(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(c)(1) and (c)(2))
[32 FR 10850, July 25, 1967, as amended at 40 FR 12657, Mar. 20, 1975; 42 FR 37976, July 26, 1977; 53 FR 9442, Mar. 23, 1988]

Title 38 published on 2012-07-01

The following are only the Rules published in the Federal Register after the published date of Title 38.

For a complete list of all Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices view the Rulemaking tab.

  • 2013-02-11; vol. 78 # 28 - Monday, February 11, 2013
    1. 78 FR 9589 - Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
      Interim final rule.
      Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 11, 2013. Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2013.
      38 CFR Part 1

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

This list is taken from the Parallel Table of Authorities and Rules provided by GPO [Government Printing Office].

It is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date, though we do refresh the database weekly. More limitations on accuracy are described at the GPO site.


United States Code
USC : Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE

§ 1311

§ 1316

§ 3711 - Collection and compromise

§ 3712 - Time limitations for presenting certain claims of the Government

§ 3713 - Priority of Government claims

§ 3714 - Keeping money due States in default

§ 3715 - Buying real property of a debtor

§ 3716 - Administrative offset

§ 3717 - Interest and penalty on claims

§ 3718 - Contracts for collection services

§ 3719 - Reports on debt collection activities

USC : Title 38 - VETERANS’ BENEFITS

§ 501 - Rules and regulations

§ 5009

USC : Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE

§ 3220 - Use of official mail in the location and recovery of missing children

Presidential Documents

Executive Order ... 9865

Executive Order ... 10096

Title 38 published on 2012-07-01

The following are ALL rules, proposed rules, and notices (chronologically) published in the Federal Register relating to 38 CFR 1 after this date.

  • 2013-02-11; vol. 78 # 28 - Monday, February 11, 2013
    1. 78 FR 9589 - Disclosures To Participate in State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
      GPO FDSys XML | Text
      DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
      Interim final rule.
      Effective Date: This rule is effective on February 11, 2013. Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 2013.
      38 CFR Part 1