Confidential nature of claims

§ 3301. Confidential nature of claims All files, records, reports, and other papers and documents pertaining to any claim under any of the laws administered by the “Veterans” Administration shall be confidential and privileged, and no disclosure thereof shall be made except as follows: (1) To a claimant or his duly authorized agent or representative as to matters concerning himself alone when, in the judgment of the Administrator, such disclosure would not be injurious to the physical or mental health of the claimant. (2) When required by process of a United States court to be produced in any suit or proceeding therein pending. (3) When required by any department or other agency of the United States Government. (4) In all proceedings in the nature of an inquest into the mental competency of a claimant. (5) In any suit or other judicial proceeding when in the judgment of the Administrator such disclosure is deemed necessary and proper. (6) The amount of pension, compensation, or dependency and indemnity compensation of any beneficiary shall be made known to any person who applies for such information, and the Administrator, with the approval of the President, upon determination that the public interest warrants or requires, may, at any time and in any manner publish any or all information of record pertaining to any claim. (7) The Administrator in his discretion may authorize an inspection of Veterans’ Administration records by duly authorized representatives of recognized organizations. (8) The Administrator may release information, statistics, or reports to individuals or organizations when in his judgment such release would serve a useful purpose.