Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive System; Withdrawal, 27009-27010 [2012-11035]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 89 / Tuesday, May 8, 2012 / Proposed Rules health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children. Indian Tribal Governments This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Energy Effects We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ‘‘significant energy action’’ under that order because it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Technical Standards The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards. Environment We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023–01, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and have made a preliminary determination VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:36 May 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 that this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule involves amendments to navigation regulations and thus, is categorically excluded under paragraph 34(i) of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary Categorical Exclusion Determination (CED) and a preliminary environmental analysis checklist are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule. List of Subjects 33 CFR Part 162 Navigation (water), Waterways. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR Part 162 as follows: PART 162—INLAND WATERWAYS NAVIGATION REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 162 continues to read as follows: Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. § 162.138 [Amended] 2. In § 162.138(a)(1)(ii), remove the words ‘‘Detroit River Light’’ and in their place add the words ‘‘D33 stationary light in the Detroit River entrance’’. Dated: April 18, 2012. M.N. Parks, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2012–11016 Filed 5–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 38 CFR Part 4 RIN 2900–AN12 Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive System; Withdrawal Department of Veterans Affairs. Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011, that was intended to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive System. VA has determined, after conducting extensive medical research, the existence of new medical advances that more accurately and comprehensively address the current medical criteria, terminology, and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 27009 science related to the digestive system. Therefore, the proposed rule is in part based upon outdated and partially incomplete or irrelevant information. DATES: The proposed rule, published on July 5, 2011, at 76 FR 39160 is withdrawn as of May 8, 2012. ADDRESSES: The docket for this withdrawn rulemaking is available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free number). In addition, this docket may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System at www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah W. Fusina, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461–9700. (This is not a toll-free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 2, 1991, VA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (56 FR 20168), notifying the public of VA’s intent to revise and update the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) that addresses the digestive system. A proposed rule, titled Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive System, was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011 (76 FR 39160), with the purpose of eliminating ambiguities in the prior Schedule for Rating Disabilities by including medical conditions missing from the current rating schedule and implementing current medical criteria and terminology that reflect recent medical advances. Since that time, however, VA has continued to conduct a comprehensive review of the VASRD that pertains to the digestive system, to include review by senior gastroenterologists and academicians from leading VA and nonVA medical centers. The current review of the Digestive System portion of the VASRD is in an advanced stage and nearing conclusion. VA’s ongoing review has identified several aspects of the proposed rule that can be revised and improved to better reflect the numerous modern advances in the field of gastroenterology that have greatly altered the landscape of treatment, diagnosis, and effect of diseases associated with the digestive system. The chapters on hepatic and gallbladder diseases must be updated to reflect such developments. For example, the schedule must reflect contemporary E:\FR\FM\08MYP1.SGM 08MYP1 27010 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 89 / Tuesday, May 8, 2012 / Proposed Rules understandings and management of such common conditions as inflammatory bowel disease and peptic ulcer disease, and recognize the relationship of irritable bowel syndrome to bacterial, viral, or parasitic disease. Furthermore, advancements in medicine and science have developed modern scoring and evaluation techniques to assess the level of severity of gastroenterological conditions, including cirrhosis and, in particular, rectum and anal impairment of sphincter control. VA has determined that the proposed revision of the VASRD provisions concerning the Digestive System should take account of the information and considerations identified through VA’s ongoing review of that system. Accordingly, VA is withdrawing the proposed rule published on July 5, 2011. VA will issue a new proposed rule to address revisions to the VASRD for the Digestive System and provide the opportunity for comment on the new rulemaking through the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking process. For these reasons, VA hereby withdraws proposed rule RIN 2900– AN12. 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 April 24, 2012, for publication. Dated: May 3, 2012. Robert C. McFetridge, Director of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. 2012–11035 Filed 5–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8230–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2011–0112; 4500030114] RIN 1018–AX69 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:36 May 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 Proposed rule; extension of public comment period; announcement of public meetings and public hearing. ACTION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), recently published a proposal to revise the designated critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina), and announced the opening of a public comment period on the proposed revised rule through June 6, 2012. We now extend the public comment period to July 6, 2012. We are extending the public comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed revised rule and the soon-to-be-released draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. We also announce a public hearing and public information meetings on our proposed revised rule and associated documents. DATES: Written Comments: The public comment period on the proposal to revise critical habitat for the northern spotted owl is extended to July 6, 2012. Please note comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. If you are submitting your comments by hard copy, please mail them by July 6, 2012, to ensure that we receive them in time to give them full consideration. Public Information Meetings: We will hold five public information meetings at the following locations and times: • Redding, California, on June 4, 2012, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; • Tacoma, Washington, on June 12, 2012, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; • Portland, Oregon, on June 20, 2012, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This meeting will precede the public hearing at the same location and on the same date. Public Hearing: We will hold a public hearing in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ADDRESSES: Written Comments: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2011–0112, which is the docket number for this rulemaking, and follow the directions for submitting a comment. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R1–ES–2011– 0112; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. (3) At public information meetings or the public hearing: Written comments will be accepted by Service personnel at any of the five scheduled public meetings or the public hearing. We will post all comments received on https:// www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section below for more information). Public Hearing: We will hold the public hearing in Room C–120 at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., Portland, Oregon; 503–235–7575. Public Meetings: Public information meetings will be held at: • University of Washington, Tacoma Campus, 1900 Commerce St., Jane Russell Commons, Tacoma, Washington; 253–692–4306; • Redding Convention Center, 700 Auditorium Drive Redding, California 96001; 530–229–0036; • Oregon Convention Center, Room C–120, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., Portland, Oregon; 503–235–7575. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Henson, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE 98th Ave., Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266; telephone 503–231–6179; facsimile 503–231–6195. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Publication of Proposal To Revise Critical Habitat The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has proposed to revise the designated critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2012 (77 FR 14062), and is available online at www.regulations.gov and at https:// www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-08/ pdf/2012-5042.pdf. Consistent with the best scientific data available, the standards of the Act, and our regulations, we have initially identified, for public comment, approximately 13,962,449 acres (ac) (5,649,660 hectares (ha)) in 11 units and 63 subunits in California, Oregon, and Washington that E:\FR\FM\08MYP1.SGM 08MYP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27009-27010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11035]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 4

RIN 2900-AN12


Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive System; 
Withdrawal

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby withdraws a 
proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011, that 
was intended to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The 
Digestive System. VA has determined, after conducting extensive medical 
research, the existence of new medical advances that more accurately 
and comprehensively address the current medical criteria, terminology, 
and science related to the digestive system. Therefore, the proposed 
rule is in part based upon outdated and partially incomplete or 
irrelevant information.

DATES: The proposed rule, published on July 5, 2011, at 76 FR 39160 is 
withdrawn as of May 8, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this withdrawn rulemaking is available for 
public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, 
Room 1063B, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday (except Federal holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 
for an appointment. (This is not a toll-free number). In addition, this 
docket may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management 
System at www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah W. Fusina, Regulations Staff 
(211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-9700. (This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 2, 1991, VA published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (56 FR 20168), 
notifying the public of VA's intent to revise and update the Schedule 
for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) that addresses the digestive system. A 
proposed rule, titled Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Digestive 
System, was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2011 (76 FR 
39160), with the purpose of eliminating ambiguities in the prior 
Schedule for Rating Disabilities by including medical conditions 
missing from the current rating schedule and implementing current 
medical criteria and terminology that reflect recent medical advances. 
Since that time, however, VA has continued to conduct a comprehensive 
review of the VASRD that pertains to the digestive system, to include 
review by senior gastroenterologists and academicians from leading VA 
and non-VA medical centers. The current review of the Digestive System 
portion of the VASRD is in an advanced stage and nearing conclusion.
    VA's ongoing review has identified several aspects of the proposed 
rule that can be revised and improved to better reflect the numerous 
modern advances in the field of gastroenterology that have greatly 
altered the landscape of treatment, diagnosis, and effect of diseases 
associated with the digestive system. The chapters on hepatic and 
gallbladder diseases must be updated to reflect such developments. For 
example, the schedule must reflect contemporary

[[Page 27010]]

understandings and management of such common conditions as inflammatory 
bowel disease and peptic ulcer disease, and recognize the relationship 
of irritable bowel syndrome to bacterial, viral, or parasitic disease. 
Furthermore, advancements in medicine and science have developed modern 
scoring and evaluation techniques to assess the level of severity of 
gastroenterological conditions, including cirrhosis and, in particular, 
rectum and anal impairment of sphincter control.
    VA has determined that the proposed revision of the VASRD 
provisions concerning the Digestive System should take account of the 
information and considerations identified through VA's ongoing review 
of that system. Accordingly, VA is withdrawing the proposed rule 
published on July 5, 2011. VA will issue a new proposed rule to address 
revisions to the VASRD for the Digestive System and provide the 
opportunity for comment on the new rulemaking through the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking process.
    For these reasons, VA hereby withdraws proposed rule RIN 2900-AN12.

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 April 24, 2012, for publication.

    Dated: May 3, 2012.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General 
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-11035 Filed 5-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-P
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