Department of Veterans Affairs – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The agencies listed above (the ``Agencies'') propose to amend their regulations to clarify protections for beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries receiving federally funded social services and the rights and obligations of organizations providing such services. In accordance with the Executive order of February 14, 2021 (Establishment of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships), this clarification should promote maximum participation by beneficiaries and providers in the Agencies' covered programs and activities and ensure consistency in the implementation of those programs and activities.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its medical regulations to implement a statute exempting Indian and urban Indian veterans from copayment requirements for the receipt of hospital care or medical services, including the initial three urgent care visits in a calendar year, under laws administered by VA.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating the monetary allowance payable for qualifying interments that occur during calendar year (CY) 2023, which applies toward the private purchase of an outer burial receptacle (or ``graveliner'') for use in a VA national cemetery. The allowance is equal to the average cost of Government- furnished graveliners less any administrative costs to VA. The purpose of this notice is to notify interested parties of the average cost of Government-furnished graveliners, administrative costs that relate to processing and paying the allowance and the amount of the allowance payable for qualifying interments that occur in CY 2023.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is modifying the system of records entitled, ``Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense Identity Repository (VADIR)-VA'' (138VA005Q), by updating the routine uses and by adding routine use 13. This system of records is an electronic repository of military personnel's military history, payroll information and their dependents' data provided to VA by the Department of Defense's Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). The VADIR database repository is used in conjunction with other applications across VA business lines to provide an electronic consolidated view of comprehensive eligibility and benefits utilization data from across VA and Department of Defense (DoD). VA applications use the VADIR database to retrieve profile data, as well as address, military history, and information on compensation and benefits, disabilities, and dependents.

The Department of Veterans Affairs proposes to amend its State home per diem regulation to provide a new formula for calculating the prevailing rate VA would pay a State home that enters into a State home care agreement to provide nursing home care to eligible veterans.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for VA's Housing Loan Program (HLP). Notice of the Final PEIS was published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Federal Register on July 15, 2022. The VA Under Secretary for Benefits signed the ROD on October 4, 2022, which was at least 30 days after publication of EPA's Notice of Availability.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise its regulation that governs the program that furnishes caskets and urns for the burial of remains of veterans with no known next-of-kin (NOK) where sufficient resources are not available for this purpose. First, VA proposes to implement the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016 that expanded the casket and urn authority to apply to eligible veteran burials in State and Tribal cemeteries that received a VA cemetery grant. Further, VA proposes to issue flat-rate allowances for caskets and urns rather than calculate the average cost for those items on an annual basis. Using flat-rate allowances would promote consistency and efficiency in the administration of this program. Additionally, we propose an update to the casket specifications based on feedback from funeral directors and other funeral industry professionals. Finally, VA proposes to amend the regulation by eliminating the retroactive reimbursement provisions. This change would reflect the fact that these provisions are no longer needed because the relevant applicability period has passed.

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement of a previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before January 31, 2023.

Veterans Benefits Administrations, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement of a previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed from Veterans to determine the level of satisfaction with existing services among its customers. The 10 surveys are: Beneficiary Survey, Cash Surrender Survey, Correspondence Survey, Insurance Claims Survey, Policy Loan Survey, Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) Survey, Waiver Survey, Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) Survey, Telephone Insurance Claims Survey, and Telephone Policy Service Survey, The surveys solicit voluntary opinions and are not intended to collect information required to obtain or maintain eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program or benefit.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to revise its regulations concerning reimbursement rates for health care that VA provides to individuals who are not otherwise eligible for such care as veterans or other VA beneficiaries. Specifically, this rulemaking would revise provisions of VA regulations and make them consistent with applicable law along with removing obsolete provisions. These revisions would clarify VA regulations related to the provision of VA health care to individuals who are not otherwise eligible for such care as veterans or other VA beneficiaries, and it would not substantively affect the provision of health care to eligible veterans or other VA beneficiaries.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Human Resources and Administration/ Operations, Security and Preparedness, Diversity & Inclusion, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is correcting the VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) concerning Small Business Programs and Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses. This correction addresses three minor administrative typos involving references to the VAAR in the regulations.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing a final rule amending the VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR). This rulemaking revises VAAR coverage concerning Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation System and Research and Development. It also revises affected parts concerning Definitions of Words and Terms, Required Sources of Supplies and Services, Types of Contracts and Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs issued Instruction 01-22 on October 11, 2022, which addresses the legal impediment that exists for certain same sex-surviving spouses to qualify for Survivors Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits due to not meeting the duration of marriage requirements for those benefits because they were prevented from marrying at an earlier date by reason of laws that have been found to be unconstitutional. Additionally, VA announces Pension and Fiduciary Service's general policy statement on the administration of Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) benefits for particular same- sex surviving spouses.