Department of Veterans Affairs May 2009 – 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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information required from service members to participate in the pre-discharge claims program.

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)) requires that all agencies publish in the Federal Register a notice of the existence and character of their records. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice that it is amending the system of records entitled ``Current and Former Accredited Representative, Claims Agent, Representative and Claims Agent Applicant and Rejected Applicant and Attorney RecordsVA'' (01VA022) as set forth in the Federal Register, 40 FR 38095, Aug. 26, 1975; and amended in 47 FR 1460, Jan. 13, 1982, 54 FR 30969, Jul. 25, 1989, 59 FR 47377, Sep. 15, 1994, and 67 FR 54529, Aug. 22, 2002. VA is amending the system notice by (1) revising the System Name, System Location, Categories of Individuals Covered by the System, Categories of Records in the System, routine uses 2 and 5, and procedures for storage, retrievability, and safeguards; (2) rescinding routine use 8; and (3) adding a purpose data element and new routine uses 11 through 14. VA is republishing the system in its entirety.

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 determine an applicant's suitability and placement as a potential volunteer at VA.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following emergency proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507(j)(1)). The reason for the emergency clearance is to allow VA to share claims information with the family members or designee of severely injured service members who are unable to communicate with VA due to their injuries. OMB has been requested to act on this emergency clearance request by June 5, 2009.

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations on burial benefits to incorporate a change made by the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007. Specifically, this document eliminates a 2-year time limitation for States to file with VA claims for reimbursement of interment costs. The removal of this time limitation is necessary to conform the regulations to recent legislation and governing statutes.

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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to assist veterans in reopening a previously denied disability compensation claim or to request an increase in benefit and/or claim for a new service- connected condition.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-21), this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

This document proposes to amend the vocational rehabilitation and employment regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, it proposes to amend provisions concerning: individuals' basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits and services; effective dates of induction into a rehabilitation program, including retroactive induction; and cooperation and lack of cooperation in the initial evaluation process. The proposed amendments are intended to update pertinent regulations to reflect changes in law, VA's interpretation of applicable law, and VA's determination of appropriate procedures, and to improve clarity.

As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a(e), notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the system of records currently entitled ``Telephone Service for Clinical Care Records-VA'' (113VA112) as set forth in the Federal Register 67 FR 63497. VA is amending the system of records by revising the System Name, Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System Including Categories of Users and the Purpose of Such Uses, Storage,

As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a(e), notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the system of records currently entitled ``Education Debt Reduction Program-VA'' (115VA10) as set forth in the Federal Register 67 FR 64449. VA is amending the system of records by revising the Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System Including Categories of Users and the Purpose of Such Uses. VA is republishing the system notice in its entirety.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending existing regulations regarding the authority to provide Government-furnished memorial headstones and markers. Memorial headstones or markers are provided in certain circumstances to memorialize eligible veterans and certain family members whose remains are not available for interment. Pursuant to Sec. 810 of Public Law 110-389, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, eligibility for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery has been extended to a veteran's surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage and whose remains are unavailable for interment. Previously, a memorial headstone or marker could be provided for a veteran's surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage only if that remarriage was terminated by death or divorce. This final rule is necessary to incorporate a statutory amendment into VA regulations.