Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document adopts as a final rule the interim final rule amending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations to establish a presumption of service connection for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for any veteran who develops the disease at any time after separation from service. This amendment implements the decision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish such a presumption based on a November 2006 report by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine on the association between active service and ALS.

The Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction (OALC), 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 needed to transform the acquisition and logistics operation.

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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine a veteran's medical care for infectious diseases acquired while in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), 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 access the eBenefits portal.

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 four existing systems of records 07VA138, ``Department of Medicine and Surgery Engineering Employee Management Information Records-VA''; 20VA138, ``Motor Vehicle Operator Accident Records-VA''; 28VA119, ``Personnel Registration Under Controlled Substance Act-VA and 33VA113, ``National Prosthetics Patient Database-VA'' to: Add a routine use related to the release of information from VA to the Department of Justice (DoJ); add a routine use related to releasing information to entities with whom VA has a contract or subcontract; add a routine use related to releasing information to agencies in the event of fraud or abuse; add a routine use related to disclosing information when there is a risk of embarrassment or harm to the reputations of the record subjects; add a routine use when a violation of law is suspected; and add a routine use related to releasing information for litigation. In 20VA138 existing routine use number three will be replaced with a new routine use which discloses information related to suspected or reasonably imminent violation of the law. In addition, routine uses four through seven will be renumbered as three through six.

Section 203 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 1991 (Pub. L. 102-40), dated May 7, 1991, revised the disciplinary grievance and appeal procedures for employees appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1). It also required the periodic designation of employees of the Department who are qualified to serve on Disciplinary Appeals Boards. These employees constitute the Disciplinary Appeals Board panel from which Board members in a case are appointed. This notice announces that the roster of employees on the panel is available for review and comment. Employees, employee organizations, and other interested parties shall be provided, without charge, a list of the names of employees on the panel upon request and may submit comments concerning the suitability for service on the panel of any employee whose name is on the list.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of 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 allow VA to share claims information with the family members or designee of severely injured service members or beneficiary who are unable to communicate with VA due to their injuries.

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 a spina bifida child of Vietnam veterans' eligibility for ancillary 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 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 a claimant's entitlement to income- dependent benefits.

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 and includes the actual data collection instrument.

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 revision 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 and 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.

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 the information needed to determine a veteran's dental treatment needs, and the fees associated for these services.

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 to determine the veteran-borrower's ability to qualify for guaranteed 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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to determine the impact of increased foreclosure rates on the veteran population.

In a document published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed to amend its adjudication regulations regarding the definition of ``service in the Republic of Vietnam.'' This document withdraws that proposed rule.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 15, 2009 (74 FR 22832), amending its medical regulations regarding enrollment in the VA health care system. In particular, it established additional sub-priorities within enrollment priority category 8 and provided that beginning on the effective date of the rule, VA will begin enrolling priority category 8 veterans whose income exceeds the current means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. A provision in the regulatory text contained a reference to the effective date of the regulation instead of providing the actual effective date. This document clarifies the beginning date VA will enroll the priority categories of veterans set forth in the regulation which is June 15, 2009.

Section 17.101 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations sets forth the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning ``Reasonable Charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 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.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), published two collection of information notices in the Federal Register announcing an opportunity for public comment on information collection requirements. Each notice solicited comments on the information required for service members to participate in the discharge claims program. Both notices contained a typographical error in the VA form number referenced and the OMB control number. This document corrects those errors in each notice.