Monday, June 05, 2006
My letter to the VA concerning my identity
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Secretary R. James Nicholson
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
Secretary Nicholson:
I served as an enlisted man in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1998. I currently receive no benefits from the VA. I do not wish to receive any benefits from the VA.
I was quite concerned to read that veterans’ social security numbers and other private info were recently stolen from a VA employee. I understand that people and institutions make mistakes and I am not writing today to complain about that incident.
I am writing to ask that you all introduce a method by which veterans can opt-out of the VA’s database. I have a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214), I have registered copies of DD-214s in several county courthouses, the military records archivists have my service records, and you all could open a hard copy paper file on me as well. If there ever arose a need for returning my information to the VA database, we could do that.
I don’t anticipate that ever happening. It seems to me that the risk of entrusting some institutions with my personal info outweighs the benefits. This incident has spurred me into action and I would like to start by asking the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove me from any electronic databases they may have me in.
I believe this request to be appropriate for you as the “principal advocate for veterans in the U.S. government.” I can provide further identifying information upon request.
Regards,
Robert R. Booth, Jr.
I don't need another VA benefit (hat tip). I want to be left alone, off your grid.
Secretary R. James Nicholson
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
Secretary Nicholson:
I served as an enlisted man in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1998. I currently receive no benefits from the VA. I do not wish to receive any benefits from the VA.
I was quite concerned to read that veterans’ social security numbers and other private info were recently stolen from a VA employee. I understand that people and institutions make mistakes and I am not writing today to complain about that incident.
I am writing to ask that you all introduce a method by which veterans can opt-out of the VA’s database. I have a copy of my discharge papers (DD-214), I have registered copies of DD-214s in several county courthouses, the military records archivists have my service records, and you all could open a hard copy paper file on me as well. If there ever arose a need for returning my information to the VA database, we could do that.
I don’t anticipate that ever happening. It seems to me that the risk of entrusting some institutions with my personal info outweighs the benefits. This incident has spurred me into action and I would like to start by asking the Department of Veterans Affairs to remove me from any electronic databases they may have me in.
I believe this request to be appropriate for you as the “principal advocate for veterans in the U.S. government.” I can provide further identifying information upon request.
Regards,
Robert R. Booth, Jr.
I don't need another VA benefit (hat tip). I want to be left alone, off your grid.
posted by Rob Booth, 6/05/2006
