Department of Veterans Affairs November 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 the information needed to verify whether a veteran's child between the ages of 18 and 23 years old is attending school.

This document adopts as a final rule the proposed rule amending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations on informed consent. This final rule extends the period of time during which a signed consent form remains valid from 30 to 60 days and eliminates the requirement that a third-party witness the patient or surrogate and practitioner signing the consent form, except in those circumstances where the patient or surrogate signs with an ``X'' due to a debilitating illness or disability, i.e., significant physical impairment and/or difficulty in executing a signature due to an underlying health condition(s), or is unable to read and write.

The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552(e)(4), requires that all agencies publish in the Federal Register a notice of the existence and character of their systems of records. On October 24, 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice of a new system of records entitled ``Automated Safety Incident Surveillance and Tracking SystemVA'' (99VA13). 71 FR 62347-62350. The system notice provided for a comment period ending November 24, 2006, and if no comments were received during that period of time, the system of records was to be effective on that date. 71 FR 62347. In response to a request for an extension of the comment period, the Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby extending the comment period until December 26, 2006. All written comments previously received will be considered and need not be resubmitted.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations concerning concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. This final rule implements section 641 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136). This law permits certain veterans who are entitled to military retired pay and are receiving disability compensation for a service-connected disability (or a combination of service-connected disabilities) rated at 50 percent or higher to receive disability compensation as well as their military retired pay. The intended effect of the regulation is to clearly state who is eligible for concurrent receipt of disability compensation and military retired pay, who must waive military retired pay to receive disability compensation, and how to file such a waiver.

The 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. This notice solicits comments for information needed to determine eligibility of persons applying for healthcare benefits under Civilian Health and Medical ProgramVA (CHAMPVA) and to adjudicate claims submitted under CHAMPVA.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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 request preauthorization of certain health care services and benefits for children of Vietnam veterans.

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 for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine an individual's continued entitlement to VA 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 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 a veteran's eligibility, dependency, and income, as applicable, for compensation and/or pension benefits.