The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations in 38 CFR parts 1 and 14 on the information technology systems access that VA may provide to individuals and organizations that represent VA benefit claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their claims before VA. This rulemaking addresses who is permitted to have this access to VA’s electronic claim records during representation in a claim.  The intended effect of this final rule is to clarify the rules and expectations regarding how representatives may access VA’s electronic records when practicing before VA. Specifically, the amendments would clarify that only an accredited representative of record in a claim, as defined in 38 CFR part 14, may gain access to VA’s electronic record in the claim. Further, the final amendments would outline appropriate behavior while accessing electronic records and the consequences of mishandling such access.