(A) Upon application, the director of veterans services shall furnish necessary instructions and advice to the veterans of the state, their heirs, or their legal representatives, respecting their claims against the United States or the state for pensions, bounty, bonus, back pay, or otherwise, by reason of military service.

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(B) The director or the director’s representative may examine the files of any veterans service commission that pertain to either of the following classes of persons to determine the custody, use, or confidentiality of any documents in those files:

(1) Applicants for, or recipients or former recipients of, financial assistance under sections 5901.01 to 5901.15 of the Revised Code;

(2) Applicants for federal, state, or county benefits under those sections.

(C)(1) No information or documents obtained by examinations conducted under division (B) of this section shall be considered part of the public records of the department of veterans services. The director may disclose information or documents that the director obtains pursuant to an examination conducted under division (B) of this section and that personally identify an applicant, recipient, or former recipient described in that division, if either of the following applies:

(a) The director considers the disclosure necessary to enforce compliance with Chapter 5901 of the Revised Code.

(b) For the purposes and under the circumstances authorized under division (E) of section 5901.09 of the Revised Code.

(2) In all other cases, the director shall maintain the confidentiality of information or documents that the director obtains pursuant to an examination under division (B) of this section and that personally identify an applicant, recipient, or former recipient described in that division.