(June 4, 2006)—The Department of Veterans Affairs says data not just on veterans, but also on active duty personnel was stolen in the burglary at an agency employee's home.

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson says an internal investigation revealed that the names, Social Security numbers and birthdates of up to 30,000 active-duty Navy personnel were "potentially included" on the stolen computer disks and laptops.

Information on up to 20,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel who were on at least their second active-duty call-up might have been on the list as well.

The VA previously said the thieves took information on up to 26.5 million veterans discharged since 1975.

Some of their spouses' information was included.

And veterans who left the service before 1975 are also considered at risk if they submitted any VA claims.

The phone numbers and addresses of the veterans could also be available to potential identity thieves.

The Associated Press has learned information stolen from the Maryland home of a Veterans Affairs worker includes that material.

A top Veteran Affairs official said Tuesday he’ll step down because a "very serious and tragic event" happened on his watch.

Michael McLendon supervised the VA analyst who took home a laptop and computer disks and then lost them in a home burglary.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, McLendon says words can't express his feelings about the "impact on the band of brothers and sisters" the veterans agency is supposed to serve.

Some veterans' groups say they're concerned McLendon and the analyst who's been put on administrative leave will be made scapegoats for a wider communications breakdown.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has set up a call center Tuesday in response to the data theft.

The toll free number is1-800-FED INFO (333-4636).

The call center will operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Saturday for as long as needed, the VA said.

It can handle up to 20,000 calls an hour or 260,000 calls a day.

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