Department of Veterans Affairs January 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 11, 2001 (66 FR 51893) to amend its loan guaranty regulations that set forth underwriting standards for VA guaranteed loans. We had proposed to require first-time homebuyers to complete homeownership counseling and to add a compensating factor for certain veterans who do not fully meet VA's underwriting standards. However, the proposed rule and comments have been superseded by recently-adopted requirements established by the Department of Defense mandating such counseling for all enlistees and by VA's decision to provide a link to the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae's) Homeownership Information Center, which provides a wide array of information for homebuyers pertaining to the homebuying process, mortgage affordability, loan calculators, credit counseling, etc. Accordingly, this document hereby withdraws the proposed rule.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments for information needed to waive disability benefits.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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 existing collection in use without an OMB control number, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to authorize VA to start or change direct deposit of Government Life Insurance payments.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments for information needed from claimants prior to undergoing a VA medical examination for disability benefits.

In a document published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 10866 on March 11, 2002, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed to amend its adjudication regulations concerning the time a claimant has in which to request a de novo review of a decision at the Veterans Service Center level after filing a Notice of Disagreement. This document withdraws that proposed rule.

This document affirms, with one modification, an amendment to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guaranty regulations implementing sections 401 through 404 of the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001. The amendment incorporates into the regulations the following statutory changes: an increase in the maximum amount of loan guaranty entitlement from $50,750 to $60,000, a liberalization of the requirements regarding Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between VA and Native American Tribes in order for their members to qualify for direct housing loans to Native American veterans, a revision of the requirement that loan instruments used in connection with VA guaranteed loans contain a statement that such loans are not assumable without prior VA approval, and an increase in the maximum specially adapted housing grant and in the special housing adaptations grant. Because these special housing grant amounts have been increased by subsequent legislation, this final rule reflects the current statutory limits of $50,000 and $10,000, respectively.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine surviving spouse of a veteran eligibility for a VA home loan.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments on information needed to provide self-certified statements in support of various types of claims processed by VA.

Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4) agencies are required to publish a notice in the Federal Register of the appointment of Performance Review Board (PRB) members. This notice updates the VA Performance Review Board of the Department of Veterans Affairs that was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2004 (Vol. 69,211).

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations describe veterans who are eligible to receive health care from VA in the United States. We are proposing to amend these regulations to include any Filipino Commonwealth Army veteran who was recognized by authority of the U.S. Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces or new Philippine Scouts, if such veteran or scout resides in the U.S., and is a citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Under this proposal these certain veterans would be eligible for VA hospital care, nursing home care, and outpatient medical services in the United States in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as apply to U.S. veterans. This proposal would allow those veterans to receive health care from VA.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments on information needed to refinance a delinquent VA-guaranteed loan with a lower interest rate.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to report medical expenses paid in connection with claims for pension and other income-based benefits.

The Office of Management (OM), 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 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 consider the use of domestic foreign construction material.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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. This notice solicits comments on information needed to establish entitlement to Government Life insurance proceeds.

The Office of Management (OM), 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 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 evaluate bidder's qualification and to support claims for price adjustment due to delay in construction caused by severe weather.