Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits, 21712-21713 [2013-08529]

Download as PDF TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 21712 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2013 / Notices 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. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to allow firms to offer items that are equal to the brand name item stated in the bid. DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before June 10, 2013. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov; or to Sylvester Rainey, Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A2A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420; or email: sylvester.rainey@va.gov. Please refer to ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0585’’ in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvester Rainey at (202) 632–5339 or Fax at (202) 343–1434. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. With respect to the following collection of information, OA&L invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OA&L’s functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of OA&L’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology. Title: Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.211–77, Brand Name or Equal (was 852.210–77). OMB Control Number: 2900–0585. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: VAAR clause 852.211–77 advises bidders or offerors who are proposing to offer an item that is alleged VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:37 Apr 10, 2013 Jkt 229001 to be equal to the brand name item stated in the bid, that it is the bidder’s or offeror’s responsibility to show that the item offered is in fact, equal to the brand name item. This evidence may be in the form of descriptive literature or material, such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, or other information. While submission of the information is voluntary, failure to provide the information may result in rejection of the firm’s bid or offer if the Government cannot otherwise determine that the item offered is equal. The contracting officer will use the information to evaluate whether or not the item offered meets the specification requirements. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit and Not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Annual Burden: 1,666 hours. Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000. Dated: April 8, 2013. By direction of the Secretary. William F. Russo, Deputy Director, Office of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. 2013–08510 Filed 4–10–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: As required by the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012, Public Law 112–198, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of adjustments in certain benefit rates. These adjustments affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs. SUMMARY: These adjustments became effective on December 1, 2012, the date provided by Public Law 112–198. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Hill, Program Analyst, Compensation Services (212B), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461– 1468. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2 of Public Law 112–198 provides for an DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00123 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 increase in each of the rates in sections 1114, 1115(1), 1162, 1311, 1313, and 1314 of title 38, United States Code. VA is required to increase these benefit rates by the same percentage as increases in the benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act. In computing increased rates in the cited title 38 sections, fractions of a dollar are rounded down to the nearest dollar. The increased rates are required to be published in the Federal Register. The Social Security Administration has announced that there will be a 1.7 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits for 2013. Therefore, applying the same percentage, the following rates for VA compensation and DIC programs became effective on December 1, 2012: DISABILITY COMPENSATION [38 U.S.C. 1114] Disability evaluation percent Monthly rate 10 .......................................... 20 .......................................... 30 .......................................... 40 .......................................... 50 .......................................... 60 .......................................... 70 .......................................... 80 .......................................... 90 .......................................... 100 ........................................ (38 U.S.C. 1114(k) through (s)): 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) ............. 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. 1114(l) .............. 1114(m) ............ 1114(n) ............. 1114(o) ............. 1114(p) ............. 1114(r) .............. 1114(s) ............. $129 255 395 569 810 1,026 1,293 1,503 1,689 2,816 $100; 3,504; 100; 4,917 3,504 3,867 4,399 4,917 4,917 2,109; 3,142 3,152 ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS [38 U.S.C. 1115(1)] 38 U.S.C. 1115(1): 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(A) 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(B) 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(C) 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(D) 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(E) 38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(F) ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ CLOTHING ALLOWANCE [38 U.S.C. 1162] $753 per year E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 $157 272; 78 105; 78 126 301 252 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 70 / Thursday, April 11, 2013 / Notices DIC TO A SURVIVING SPOUSE Pay Grade: E–1 .................................... E–2 .................................... E–3 .................................... E–4 .................................... E–5 .................................... E–6 .................................... E–7 .................................... E–8 .................................... E–9(1) ............................... W–1 ................................... W–2 ................................... W–3 ................................... W–4 ................................... O–1 ................................... O–2 ................................... O–3 ................................... O–4 ................................... O–5 ................................... O–6 ................................... O–7 ................................... O–8 ................................... O–9 ................................... O–10(2) ............................. $1,215 1,215 1,215 1,215 1,215 1,215 1,257 1,327 1,384 1,283 1,334 1,373 1,453 1,283 1,327 1,418 1,503 1,654 1,865 2,013 2,211 2,365 2,594 (1) If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, the surviving spouse’s monthly rate is $1,494. (2) If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of the Coast Guard, the surviving spouse’s monthly rate is $2,784. DIC TO A SURVIVING SPOUSE [38 U.S.C. 1311(a) through (f)] 38 U.S.C. 1311(a) through (f): 38 U.S.C. 1311(a)(1) ........ 38 U.S.C. 1311(a)(2) ........ 38 U.S.C. 1311(b) ............. 38 U.S.C. 1311(c) ............. 38 U.S.C. 1311(d) ............. 38 U.S.C. 1311(f) .............. $1,215 258 301 301 141 263 TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DIC TO CHILDREN [38 U.S.C. 1313] 38 U.S.C. 1313: 38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(1) 38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(2) 38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(3) 38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(4) VerDate Mar<15>2010 ........ ........ ........ ........ 17:37 Apr 10, 2013 $513 738 963 963; 183 Jkt 229001 viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at [38 U.S.C. 1314] www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony A. Guagliardo, Director, Health 38 U.S.C. 1314: Eligibility Center, (404) 848–5300 (this 38 U.S.C. 1314(a) ............. $301 is not a toll free number). 38 U.S.C. 1314(b) ............. 513 38 U.S.C. 1314(c) ............. 255 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Veterans Affairs has statutory authorization under 38 U.S.C. Approved: April 3, 2013. 5317, 38 U.S.C. 5106, 26 U.S.C. Jose D. Riojas, 6103(l)(7)(D)(viii) and 5 U.S.C. 552a to Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans establish matching agreements and Affairs. request and use income information [FR Doc. 2013–08529 Filed 4–10–13; 8:45 am] from other agencies for purposes of BILLING CODE 8320–01–P verification of income for determining eligibility for benefits. 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(2)(G), 1710(a)(3), and 1710(b) DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS identify those veterans whose basic AFFAIRS eligibility for medical care benefits is dependent upon their financial status. Privacy Act of 1974: Computer Eligibility for nonservice-connected and Matching Program zero percent noncompensable serviceAGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. connected veterans is determined based ACTION: Notice of Computer Match on the veteran’s inability to defray the Program. expenses for necessary care as defined in 38 U.S.C. 1722. This determination SUMMARY: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a, the can affect their responsibility to Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and participate in the cost of their care the Office of Management and Budget through copayments and their (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of assignment to an enrollment priority Matching Programs, notice is hereby group. The goal of this match is to given that the Department of Veterans obtain SSA earned income information Affairs (VA) intends to conduct a data needed for the income verification computer matching program with the process. The VA records involved in the Social Security Administration (SSA). match are ‘‘Enrollment and Eligibility Data from the proposed match will be Records—VA’’ (147VA16). The SSA used to verify the earned income of records are from the Earnings Recording nonservice-connected veterans, and and Self-Employment Income System, those veterans who are zero percent SSA/OEEAS 09–60–0059 and Master service-connected (noncompensable), Files of Social Security Number Holders whose eligibility for VA medical care is and SSN Applications, SSA/OEEAS, based on their inability to defray the 60–0058, (referred to as ‘‘the cost of medical care. These veterans Numident’’). A copy of this notice has supply household income information been sent to both Houses of Congress that includes their spouses and and OMB. dependents at the time of application This matching agreement expires 18 for VA health care benefits. months after its effective date. This DATES: Effective Date: This match will match will not continue past the start April 9, 2013, unless comments legislative authorized date to obtain this dictate otherwise. information. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be Approved: March 26, 2013. submitted through John R. Gingrich, www.Regulations.gov; by mail or handChief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs. delivery to the Director, Regulations [FR Doc. 2013–08531 Filed 4–10–13; 8:45 am] Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue BILLING CODE 8320–01–P NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS Copies of comments received will be AFFAIRS available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the Privacy Act of 1974; Report of Matching Program hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 for ACTION: Notice of Computer Matching an appointment. In addition, during the Program. comment period, comments may be SUPPLEMENTAL DIC TO CHILDREN [38 U.S.C. 1311] 21713 PO 00000 Frm 00124 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1

Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21712-21713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08529]


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

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Service-Connected 
Benefits

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2012, Public Law 112-198, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of adjustments in certain benefit 
rates. These adjustments affect the compensation and dependency and 
indemnity compensation (DIC) programs.

DATES: These adjustments became effective on December 1, 2012, the date 
provided by Public Law 112-198.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Hill, Program Analyst, 
Compensation Services (212B), Veterans Benefits Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420, (202) 461-1468.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2 of Public Law 112-198 provides for 
an increase in each of the rates in sections 1114, 1115(1), 1162, 1311, 
1313, and 1314 of title 38, United States Code. VA is required to 
increase these benefit rates by the same percentage as increases in the 
benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act. In 
computing increased rates in the cited title 38 sections, fractions of 
a dollar are rounded down to the nearest dollar. The increased rates 
are required to be published in the Federal Register.
    The Social Security Administration has announced that there will be 
a 1.7 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits for 
2013. Therefore, applying the same percentage, the following rates for 
VA compensation and DIC programs became effective on December 1, 2012:

                         Disability Compensation
                            [38 U.S.C. 1114]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Disability evaluation percent                Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10......................................................            $129
20......................................................             255
30......................................................             395
40......................................................             569
50......................................................             810
60......................................................           1,026
70......................................................           1,293
80......................................................           1,503
90......................................................           1,689
100.....................................................           2,816
(38 U.S.C. 1114(k) through (s)):
  38 U.S.C. 1114(k).....................................    $100; 3,504;
                                                              100; 4,917
  38 U.S.C. 1114(l).....................................           3,504
  38 U.S.C. 1114(m).....................................           3,867
  38 U.S.C. 1114(n).....................................           4,399
  38 U.S.C. 1114(o).....................................           4,917
  38 U.S.C. 1114(p).....................................           4,917
  38 U.S.C. 1114(r).....................................    2,109; 3,142
  38 U.S.C. 1114(s).....................................           3,152
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 Additional Compensation for Dependents
                           [38 U.S.C. 1115(1)]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 U.S.C. 1115(1):
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(A)..................................            $157
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(B)..................................         272; 78
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(C)..................................         105; 78
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(D)..................................             126
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(E)..................................             301
  38 U.S.C. 1115(1)(F)..................................             252
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Clothing Allowance
                            [38 U.S.C. 1162]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$753 per year
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 21713]]


                        DIC to a Surviving Spouse
                            [38 U.S.C. 1311]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay Grade:
  E-1...................................................          $1,215
  E-2...................................................           1,215
  E-3...................................................           1,215
  E-4...................................................           1,215
  E-5...................................................           1,215
  E-6...................................................           1,215
  E-7...................................................           1,257
  E-8...................................................           1,327
  E-9(1)................................................           1,384
  W-1...................................................           1,283
  W-2...................................................           1,334
  W-3...................................................           1,373
  W-4...................................................           1,453
  O-1...................................................           1,283
  O-2...................................................           1,327
  O-3...................................................           1,418
  O-4...................................................           1,503
  O-5...................................................           1,654
  O-6...................................................           1,865
  O-7...................................................           2,013
  O-8...................................................           2,211
  O-9...................................................           2,365
  O-10(2)...............................................           2,594
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior 
enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, 
sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of 
the Coast Guard, the surviving spouse's monthly rate is $1,494.
    (2) If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, 
Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or 
Commandant of the Coast Guard, the surviving spouse's monthly rate is 
$2,784.

                        DIC to a Surviving Spouse
                     [38 U.S.C. 1311(a) through (f)]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Monthly rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 U.S.C. 1311(a) through (f):
  38 U.S.C. 1311(a)(1)..................................          $1,215
  38 U.S.C. 1311(a)(2)..................................             258
  38 U.S.C. 1311(b).....................................             301
  38 U.S.C. 1311(c).....................................             301
  38 U.S.C. 1311(d).....................................             141
  38 U.S.C. 1311(f).....................................             263
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             DIC to Children
                            [38 U.S.C. 1313]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 U.S.C. 1313:
  38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(1)..................................            $513
  38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(2)..................................             738
  38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(3)..................................             963
  38 U.S.C. 1313(a)(4)..................................        963; 183
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                      Supplemental DIC to Children
                            [38 U.S.C. 1314]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 U.S.C. 1314:
  38 U.S.C. 1314(a).....................................            $301
  38 U.S.C. 1314(b).....................................             513
  38 U.S.C. 1314(c).....................................             255
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Approved: April 3, 2013.
Jose D. Riojas,
Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-08529 Filed 4-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

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