VA Updates Privacy System for Tracking Employee Work Injuries
Published Date: 9/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating its system that tracks work-related injuries and illnesses for VA employees. These changes improve how they store, use, and protect safety incident records. If you want to comment, you’ve got 30 days from September 15, 2026, before the new rules kick in—no cost changes, just smarter safety tracking!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Social Security Number Removed From Records
VA removed Social Security number from the system's listed categories and from the retrieval procedures for the Performance Logic-Employee Safety Incident Investigation Platform (ESIIP) records (99VA10). This change applies to records on current and former employees, trainees, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, and others working with or for VHA.
Records Stored in VA Azure Cloud With FedRAMP High
Records for the ESIIP system are stored on paper and electronically in the VA Azure cloud and the VA Enterprise Cloud. VA states cloud storage conforms to VA Directives 6500 and 6517 and has been authorized at the high-impact level under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).
Employee Data Sent to Bureau of Labor Statistics
The system will include information required for annual occupational injury and illness submissions to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including employee name, occupation, date of birth, date of hire, sex, and incident details. These data elements are explicitly listed in the updated record categories for ESIIP (99VA10).
New Breach-Response Sharing With Other Federal Agencies
VA added a routine use allowing disclosure of ESIIP records to another Federal agency or federal entity when VA determines the information is reasonably necessary to help that agency respond to or remediate a suspected or confirmed data breach. (Routine Use #14 in the updated notice.)
Records May Be Shared with Former Employees for Litigation
VA added a routine use (Routine Use #15) permitting disclosure of system records to a former VA employee or contractor, or their authorized representative, in pending or reasonably anticipated litigation against that individual concerning health care provided during their period of employment or contract.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11973, Implementing Regulation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Environmental Effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs Actions
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating how it checks the environmental impact of its projects to be faster, clearer, and more in line with new laws passed since 1989. This change affects VA staff and veterans by improving planning and making sure VA actions protect the environment while delivering care. The new rules start June 15, 2026, and the VA welcomes feedback until July 15, 2026.
2026-03940, Rescission of Interim Final Rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication
The VA is canceling a new rule about how medication affects disability ratings and going back to the old rules right away. This change affects veterans applying for benefits, making sure their claims are handled like before without confusion or delays. The switch happens immediately and won’t change any money owed but keeps things steady while legal questions get sorted out.
2025-21242, Extending Deadline for Debtor To Request a Waiver
The VA is giving veterans more time—up to one year instead of 180 days—to ask for a waiver on debts related to benefits. This change, effective January 26, 2026, helps reduce stress by giving veterans extra breathing room to handle their debt issues. It doesn’t cost veterans extra money but makes the process friendlier and fairer.
2025-18827, Extension of Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants
The VA is giving family caregivers of veterans more time to stay in their special support program by extending the deadline from 2025 to 2028. This means caregivers and veterans who joined the program earlier (the legacy group) can keep getting help for three more years. No changes to money or benefits, just extra time to enjoy the support they deserve!
2025-14687, Reproductive Health Services
The VA is planning to stop covering abortions and abortion counseling again, reversing a 2022 change. This affects veterans and their families who use VA and CHAMPVA health benefits. The change aims to focus VA services on what they consider essential care, with no new costs or timing details shared yet.
2026-20414, Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Financial Status Report
The VA is updating how it collects financial info from veterans who owe money, thanks to changes after COVID-19 paused debt collections. Now, some repayment plans don’t need extra paperwork, and longer plans can stretch up to 36 months. Veterans with overpayments or debts should know these changes could affect how they manage their payments starting now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18853, Civil Penalty Inflation Adjustments
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) won’t raise any fines in 2026 because the government couldn’t get the inflation data needed to update them. So, businesses and folks facing penalties will see the same fine amounts as in 2025. This freeze kicks in starting September 15, 2026, keeping things steady for now.
Next: 2026-18858, Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aceria salsolae (Acari: Eriophyidae), a Mite for Biological Control of Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus), in the Contiguous United States
The USDA is giving the green light to release a tiny mite called Aceria salsolae to help control the pesky Russian thistle (tumbleweed) across the central and western U.S. This natural solution aims to reduce the spread of this invasive weed without harming the environment, and permits for releasing the mite will be issued soon. Farmers and landowners can expect fewer tumbleweeds, making land management easier and potentially saving money on weed control.