Dental Conditions, 14600-14602 [2011-6148]

Download as PDF WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 14600 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2011 / Proposed Rules to bring all documents, records and other information as it may find necessary and relevant to support its position. (4) The surety may be represented by counsel and shall have a fair opportunity to present any relevant material and to examine the administrative record. (5) The complaining agency may be requested by the Reviewing Official to send a representative to the hearing to present any relevant material, and the agency representative may examine the administrative record. (6) Formal rules of evidence will not apply at the informal hearing. (7) The formal adjudication standards under the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. 554, 556, 557 do not apply to the informal hearing or adjudication process. (8) Treasury may promulgate additional procedural guidance governing the conduct of informal hearings. This additional procedural guidance may be contained in the Annual Letter to Executive Heads of Surety Companies referenced in 31 CFR 223.9, the Treasury Financial Manual, or other Treasury publication or correspondence. (9) Upon completion of the informal hearing, the Reviewing Official shall prepare a written Recommendation Memorandum addressed to the Assistant Commissioner, Management, or incumbent Treasury executive, setting forth findings and a recommended disposition. The Assistant Commissioner, Management, or incumbent Treasury executive, will be the Deciding Official who will make the final decision whether the surety’s certificate of authority to write and reinsure Federal bonds should be revoked based on the administrative record. For these purposes, the administrative record consists of the Federal agency complaint referenced in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the surety response referenced in paragraph (c), any other documentation submitted to, or considered by, or entered into the administrative record by the Reviewing Official, the hearing transcript, and the Reviewing Official’s Recommendation Memorandum. (10) The provisions of paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this section shall apply to the adjudication of the agency complaint when an informal hearing is conducted. 17. Revise § 223.21 to read as follows: § 223.21 Reinstatement. If, after one year from the date of the expiration or the revocation of its certificate of authority under this part, VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:47 Mar 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 a company can demonstrate that the basis for the non-renewal or revocation has been eliminated or effectively cured, as determined by Treasury in its discretion, and that it can comply with, and does meet, all continuing requirements for certification under 31 U.S.C. 9304–9308 and this part, the company may submit an application to Treasury for reinstatement or reissuance of a certificate of authority, which will be granted without prejudice, provided all such requirements are met. 18. In § 223.22, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows: § 223.22 Fees for services of the Treasury Department. * * * * * (c) Specific fee information may be obtained from the Assistant Commissioner, Management, or incumbent Treasury executive, or online at https://www.fms.treas.gov/c570. In addition, a notice of the amount of a fee referred to in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section will be published in the Federal Register as each change in such fee is made. Dated: March 11, 2011. Richard L. Gregg, Fiscal Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–6277 Filed 3–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 38 CFR Part 3 RIN 2900–AN28 Dental Conditions Department of Veterans Affairs. Proposed rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations regarding service connection of dental conditions for treatment purposes. The regulations currently state several principles governing determinations by VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) of service connection of dental conditions for the purpose of establishing eligibility for dental treatment by VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We propose to clarify that those principles apply only when VHA requests information or a rating from VBA for those purposes. The amendments are to clarify existing regulatory provisions and to reflect the respective responsibilities of VHA and VBA in determinations concerning eligibility for dental treatment. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Comments must be received by VA on or before May 16, 2011. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through www.Regulations.gov; by mail or handdelivery to Director, Regulations Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026. (This is not a toll-free number.) Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ‘‘RIN 2900– AN28—Dental Conditions.’’ Copies of comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free number.) In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System at www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kniffen, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461–9725. (This is not a toll-free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA’s adjudication regulation regarding service connection of dental conditions for treatment purposes, 38 CFR 3.381, identifies circumstances under which dental conditions that may not qualify as disabilities for purposes of VA disability compensation may nevertheless be service connected for purposes of VA dental treatment under 38 U.S.C. 1712 and 38 CFR 17.161. Because VHA has primary responsibility for determining eligibility for dental treatment, VBA will prepare a rating decision under § 3.381 only when VHA requests such a rating or information necessary to assist in its determination. This circumstance is not clearly stated in the current regulation. Accordingly, we propose to amend § 3.381 to state this requirement. VA’s statute and regulation regarding dental conditions, 38 U.S.C. 1712 and 38 CFR 17.161, contain the eligibility requirements for dental treatment. Eligibility for dental treatment is extremely limited. VHA will provide certain dental treatment to veterans: • Who have a service-connected compensable dental condition (i.e., those subject to service connection for compensation purposes under the 9900 diagnostic code series) (Class I) DATES: E:\FR\FM\17MRP1.SGM 17MRP1 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2011 / Proposed Rules • Who have a service-connected noncompensable dental condition (not subject to compensation) shown to have been in existence at the time of discharge or release from active service, which took place after September 30, 1981 (Class II), if: Æ The veteran served at least 180 days (or 90 days if a veteran of the Gulf War era), and Æ The veteran’s DD214 does not bear certification that the veteran was provided, within 90 days immediately prior to discharge or release, a complete dental examination (including dental xrays) and all appropriate dental treatment indicated by the examination to be needed, and Æ Application for treatment is received within 180 days of discharge, and Æ A VA dental examination is completed within six months after discharge or release, unless delayed through no fault of the veteran. Æ Note: Treatment under Class II is limited to a one-time correction of service-connected noncompensable dental conditions. • Who have a service-connected noncompensable dental condition or disability adjudicated as resulting from combat wounds or service trauma (Class II(a)). • Who are homeless or are otherwise enrolled veterans who are eligible for a one-time course of dental care under 38 U.S.C. 2062 (Class II(b)). • Who are former prisoners of war, as determined by the concerned military service department (Class II(c)). • Who have a nonservice-connected dental disability professionally determined to be aggravating a serviceconnected medical condition (Class III). • Who are rated totally disabled due to service-connected disability (either a 100 percent schedular evaluation or entitled to individual unemployability) (Class IV). • Who are approved for vocational rehabilitation training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 and who require dental treatment to participate in training (Class V). • Who are scheduled for admission or otherwise receiving care and services under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 if dental care is reasonably necessary to the provision of such care and services, i.e., a dental condition is complicating a medical condition currently under treatment. (Examples: patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, knee, hip, joint replacement surgery, or organ transplant surgery may receive pre-bed care to eliminate dental infection prior to their surgery and help insure successful medical treatment) (Class VI). VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:47 Mar 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 VHA will usually be able to determine eligibility for dental treatment without referral to VBA. However, VHA shall request information or a rating from VBA in the following circumstances: • To determine whether the veteran has a compensable service-connected disability (subject to service connection for compensation purposes). • To determine whether the veteran has a service-connected condition for which compensation is not payable. • To determine whether there is dental disability due to combat wounds or service trauma. • To determine prisoner of war status. • To determine whether the veteran is totally disabled due to serviceconnected disability. VHA may submit a request for a rating for eligibility for treatment for any dental condition. However, consistent with the qualifying conditions and the limitations of eligibility under 38 CFR 3.381 and 38 CFR 17.161, VBA would deny any claim that does not qualify for VHA dental treatment, including any claim for treatment of periodontal disease or calculus, unless the condition meets regulatory eligibility criteria. If the veteran files a claim for disability compensation that includes as an issue a compensable dental condition under the rating schedule criteria, VBA would prepare a rating and notify VHA. If a veteran has not filed a claim for disability compensation, but goes to a VHA dental clinic requesting treatment, VHA will request a determination from VBA when needed to address the issues described above affecting eligibility under Class I, Class II, Class II(a), Class II(c), or Class IV. Furthermore, VHA is responsible for notifying the veteran of their eligibility determination. When a veteran submits a claim for dental treatment directly to a VBA regional office, VBA will not provide a rating, but instead VBA will refer the claim to the VHA outpatient clinic, which is responsible for such claims. Therefore, we propose to redesignate paragraphs (a) through (f) as paragraphs (b) through (g) and to add a new paragraph (a) that explains the situations when VHA will refer a claim to VBA. We also propose to amend redesignated paragraph (b) to clarify what conditions will be service connected for treatment purposes. Additionally, we propose to remove the following sentence from redesignated paragraph (c): ‘‘When applicable, the rating activity will determine whether the condition is due to combat or other in-service trauma, or whether the veteran was interned as a prisoner of war.’’ This sentence is being removed PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 14601 because it is repetitive of portions of proposed paragraph (a). Paperwork Reduction Act This document contains no provisions constituting a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521). Regulatory Flexibility Act The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612. This proposed rule would not affect any small entities. Only certain VA beneficiaries could be directly affected. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this proposed rule is exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of sections 603 and 604. Executive Order 12866 Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). The Executive Order classifies a ‘‘significant regulatory action,’’ requiring review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives such review, as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President’s priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order. VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action and has concluded that it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Unfunded Mandates The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that E:\FR\FM\17MRP1.SGM 17MRP1 14602 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2011 / Proposed Rules agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any given year. This proposed rule would have no such effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers and Titles The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers and titles for this rule are 64.011, Veterans Dental Care; and 64.109, Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability. Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R. Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on March 9, 2011, for publication. List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 3 Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, Health care, Pensions, Radioactive materials, Veterans, Vietnam. Dated: March 11, 2011. William F. Russo, Director of Regulations Management, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs. For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA proposes to amend 38 CFR part 3 as follows: § 3.381 Service connection of dental conditions for treatment purposes. (a) The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will adjudicate a claim for service connection of a dental condition for treatment purposes after the Veterans Health Administration determines a veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements of § 17.161 of this chapter and requests VBA make a determination on questions that include, but are not limited to, any of the following: (1) Former Prisoner of War status; (2) Whether the veteran has a compensable or noncompensable service-connected dental condition or disability; (3) Whether the dental condition or disability is a result of combat wounds; (4) Whether the dental condition or disability is a result of service trauma; or (5) Whether the veteran is totally disabled due to a service-connected disability. (b) Treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not compensable disabilities, but may nevertheless be service connected solely for the purpose of establishing eligibility for outpatient dental treatment as provided for in § 17.161 of this chapter. These conditions and other dental conditions or disabilities that are noncompensably rated under § 4.150 of this chapter may be service connected for purposes of Class II or Class II(a) dental treatment under § 17.161 of this chapter. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2011–6148 Filed 3–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PART 3—ADJUDICATION 40 CFR Part 52 Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted. WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 1. The authority citation for part 3, subpart A continues to read as follows: Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Louisiana; Revisions To Control Volatile Organic Compound Emissions for Surface Coatings and Graphic Arts 2. Amend § 3.381 by: a. Redesignating paragraphs (a) through (f) as paragraphs (b) through (g). b. Adding new paragraph (a). c. Revising redesignated paragraph (b). d. Removing from redesignated paragraph (c) the following sentence: ‘‘When applicable, the rating activity will determine whether the condition is due to combat or other in-service trauma, or whether the veteran was interned as a prisoner of war.’’ The addition and revision read as follows: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:47 Mar 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 [EPA–R06–OAR–2010–0775; FRL–9281–2] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions for control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adopted by Louisiana on June 20, 2009 and August 20, 2010, and submitted to EPA on August 31, 2010. EPA is also proposing SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 to approve a SIP revision for control of emission of organic compounds which was proposed by Louisiana on January 20, 1011. EPA issued Control Techniques Guidelines (CTGs) in 2006, 2007 and 2008; Louisiana’s rule revisions being proposed for approval in this action were developed in response to these CTGs. Because Louisiana has not yet finalized the January 20th revision to the VOC rules, we are proposing to approve this SIP revision in parallel with Louisiana’s rulemaking activities. If the final version of the VOC rule adopted by Louisiana is changed from the proposed version which is being ‘‘parallel processed’’ today, EPA will withdraw this rulemaking and propose a new rulemaking with the final VOC rule adopted by Louisiana. If there are no changes to the ‘‘parallelprocessed’’ version, EPA will proceed with final rulemaking on the version finally adopted by Louisiana and submitted to EPA. EPA is proposing to approve these revisions because they enhance the Louisiana SIP by improving VOC emission controls in Louisiana. EPA is also proposing to find that these revisions meet Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements. These revisions meet statutory and regulatory requirements, and are consistent with EPA’s guidance. This action is being taken under section 110 and part D of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Comments must be received on or before April 18, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R06– OAR–2010–0775, by one of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: Mr. Guy Donaldson at donaldson.guy@epa.gov. Please also send a copy by e-mail to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below. • Fax: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), at fax number 214–665–7263. • Mail: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. • Hand or Courier Delivery: Mr. Guy Donaldson, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Such deliveries are accepted only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays except for legal holidays. Special DATES: E:\FR\FM\17MRP1.SGM 17MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14600-14602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6148]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 3

RIN 2900-AN28


Dental Conditions

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its 
adjudication regulations regarding service connection of dental 
conditions for treatment purposes. The regulations currently state 
several principles governing determinations by VA's Veterans Benefits 
Administration (VBA) of service connection of dental conditions for the 
purpose of establishing eligibility for dental treatment by VA's 
Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We propose to clarify that those 
principles apply only when VHA requests information or a rating from 
VBA for those purposes. The amendments are to clarify existing 
regulatory provisions and to reflect the respective responsibilities of 
VHA and VBA in determinations concerning eligibility for dental 
treatment.

DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before May 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through 
www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulations 
Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273-9026. 
(This is not a toll-free number.) Comments should indicate that they 
are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AN28--Dental Conditions.'' 
Copies of comments received will be available for public inspection in 
the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the 
hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). 
Please call (202) 461-4902 for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free 
number.) In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the Federal Docket Management System at 
www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Kniffen, Regulations Staff (211D), 
Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420, (202) 461-9725. (This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA's adjudication regulation regarding 
service connection of dental conditions for treatment purposes, 38 CFR 
3.381, identifies circumstances under which dental conditions that may 
not qualify as disabilities for purposes of VA disability compensation 
may nevertheless be service connected for purposes of VA dental 
treatment under 38 U.S.C. 1712 and 38 CFR 17.161. Because VHA has 
primary responsibility for determining eligibility for dental 
treatment, VBA will prepare a rating decision under Sec.  3.381 only 
when VHA requests such a rating or information necessary to assist in 
its determination. This circumstance is not clearly stated in the 
current regulation. Accordingly, we propose to amend Sec.  3.381 to 
state this requirement.
    VA's statute and regulation regarding dental conditions, 38 U.S.C. 
1712 and 38 CFR 17.161, contain the eligibility requirements for dental 
treatment. Eligibility for dental treatment is extremely limited. VHA 
will provide certain dental treatment to veterans:
     Who have a service-connected compensable dental condition 
(i.e., those subject to service connection for compensation purposes 
under the 9900 diagnostic code series) (Class I)

[[Page 14601]]

     Who have a service-connected noncompensable dental 
condition (not subject to compensation) shown to have been in existence 
at the time of discharge or release from active service, which took 
place after September 30, 1981 (Class II), if:
     [cir] The veteran served at least 180 days (or 90 days if a 
veteran of the Gulf War era), and
     [cir] The veteran's DD214 does not bear certification that the 
veteran was provided, within 90 days immediately prior to discharge or 
release, a complete dental examination (including dental x-rays) and 
all appropriate dental treatment indicated by the examination to be 
needed, and
     [cir] Application for treatment is received within 180 days of 
discharge, and
     [cir] A VA dental examination is completed within six months after 
discharge or release, unless delayed through no fault of the veteran.
     [cir] Note: Treatment under Class II is limited to a one-time 
correction of service-connected noncompensable dental conditions.
     Who have a service-connected noncompensable dental 
condition or disability adjudicated as resulting from combat wounds or 
service trauma (Class II(a)).
     Who are homeless or are otherwise enrolled veterans who 
are eligible for a one-time course of dental care under 38 U.S.C. 2062 
(Class II(b)).
     Who are former prisoners of war, as determined by the 
concerned military service department (Class II(c)).
     Who have a nonservice-connected dental disability 
professionally determined to be aggravating a service-connected medical 
condition (Class III).
     Who are rated totally disabled due to service-connected 
disability (either a 100 percent schedular evaluation or entitled to 
individual unemployability) (Class IV).
     Who are approved for vocational rehabilitation training 
under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 and who require dental treatment to 
participate in training (Class V).
     Who are scheduled for admission or otherwise receiving 
care and services under 38 U.S.C. chapter 17 if dental care is 
reasonably necessary to the provision of such care and services, i.e., 
a dental condition is complicating a medical condition currently under 
treatment. (Examples: patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, knee, 
hip, joint replacement surgery, or organ transplant surgery may receive 
pre-bed care to eliminate dental infection prior to their surgery and 
help insure successful medical treatment) (Class VI).
    VHA will usually be able to determine eligibility for dental 
treatment without referral to VBA. However, VHA shall request 
information or a rating from VBA in the following circumstances:
     To determine whether the veteran has a compensable 
service-connected disability (subject to service connection for 
compensation purposes).
     To determine whether the veteran has a service-connected 
condition for which compensation is not payable.
     To determine whether there is dental disability due to 
combat wounds or service trauma.
     To determine prisoner of war status.
     To determine whether the veteran is totally disabled due 
to service-connected disability.
    VHA may submit a request for a rating for eligibility for treatment 
for any dental condition. However, consistent with the qualifying 
conditions and the limitations of eligibility under 38 CFR 3.381 and 38 
CFR 17.161, VBA would deny any claim that does not qualify for VHA 
dental treatment, including any claim for treatment of periodontal 
disease or calculus, unless the condition meets regulatory eligibility 
criteria.
    If the veteran files a claim for disability compensation that 
includes as an issue a compensable dental condition under the rating 
schedule criteria, VBA would prepare a rating and notify VHA. If a 
veteran has not filed a claim for disability compensation, but goes to 
a VHA dental clinic requesting treatment, VHA will request a 
determination from VBA when needed to address the issues described 
above affecting eligibility under Class I, Class II, Class II(a), Class 
II(c), or Class IV. Furthermore, VHA is responsible for notifying the 
veteran of their eligibility determination.
    When a veteran submits a claim for dental treatment directly to a 
VBA regional office, VBA will not provide a rating, but instead VBA 
will refer the claim to the VHA outpatient clinic, which is responsible 
for such claims.
    Therefore, we propose to redesignate paragraphs (a) through (f) as 
paragraphs (b) through (g) and to add a new paragraph (a) that explains 
the situations when VHA will refer a claim to VBA. We also propose to 
amend redesignated paragraph (b) to clarify what conditions will be 
service connected for treatment purposes. Additionally, we propose to 
remove the following sentence from redesignated paragraph (c): ``When 
applicable, the rating activity will determine whether the condition is 
due to combat or other in-service trauma, or whether the veteran was 
interned as a prisoner of war.'' This sentence is being removed because 
it is repetitive of portions of proposed paragraph (a).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601-612. This proposed rule would not affect any small entities. 
Only certain VA beneficiaries could be directly affected. Therefore, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this proposed rule is exempt from the 
initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 
sections 603 and 604.

Executive Order 12866

    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and 
benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety, 
and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). The Executive 
Order classifies a ``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives such 
review, as any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule 
that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter 
the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) 
raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive 
Order.
    VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and 
policy implications of this regulatory action and has concluded that it 
is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that

[[Page 14602]]

agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before 
issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, 
and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any given 
year. This proposed rule would have no such effect on State, local, and 
tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers and Titles

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers and 
titles for this rule are 64.011, Veterans Dental Care; and 64.109, 
Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R. 
Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on March 9, 2011, for publication.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 3

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, 
Health care, Pensions, Radioactive materials, Veterans, Vietnam.

    Dated: March 11, 2011.
William F. Russo,
Director of Regulations Management, Office of the General Counsel, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA proposes to amend 38 
CFR part 3 as follows:

PART 3--ADJUDICATION

    1. The authority citation for part 3, subpart A continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted.

    2. Amend Sec.  3.381 by:
    a. Redesignating paragraphs (a) through (f) as paragraphs (b) 
through (g).
    b. Adding new paragraph (a).
    c. Revising redesignated paragraph (b).
    d. Removing from redesignated paragraph (c) the following sentence: 
``When applicable, the rating activity will determine whether the 
condition is due to combat or other in-service trauma, or whether the 
veteran was interned as a prisoner of war.''
    The addition and revision read as follows:


Sec.  3.381  Service connection of dental conditions for treatment 
purposes.

    (a) The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will adjudicate a 
claim for service connection of a dental condition for treatment 
purposes after the Veterans Health Administration determines a veteran 
meets the basic eligibility requirements of Sec.  17.161 of this 
chapter and requests VBA make a determination on questions that 
include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
    (1) Former Prisoner of War status;
    (2) Whether the veteran has a compensable or noncompensable 
service-connected dental condition or disability;
    (3) Whether the dental condition or disability is a result of 
combat wounds;
    (4) Whether the dental condition or disability is a result of 
service trauma; or
    (5) Whether the veteran is totally disabled due to a service-
connected disability.
    (b) Treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or 
alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not compensable 
disabilities, but may nevertheless be service connected solely for the 
purpose of establishing eligibility for outpatient dental treatment as 
provided for in Sec.  17.161 of this chapter. These conditions and 
other dental conditions or disabilities that are noncompensably rated 
under Sec.  4.150 of this chapter may be service connected for purposes 
of Class II or Class II(a) dental treatment under Sec.  17.161 of this 
chapter.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-6148 Filed 3-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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