Department of Veterans Affairs 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) 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 claimant's eligibility for increased disability benefits.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), 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 determine the number of interments conducted at State Veterans' cemeteries.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot (RVCP). This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) includes funding priorities for those applicants who will assist veterans and their families who are transitioning from military service to civilian life in rural or underserved communities. This Notice contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, application process, and the amount of funding available.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides notice that it intends to conduct a recurring computer-matching program matching Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Federal tax information with VA pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation records. The purpose of this match is to identify applicants and beneficiaries who have applied for or who are receiving VA benefits and received unearned income, and to adjust or terminate VA benefits, if appropriate.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations concerning approval of non-VA community residential care facilities to allow VA to waive such facilities' compliance with standards that do not jeopardize the health or safety of residents. Waiver would be authorized in those limited circumstances where the deficiency cannot be corrected to meet a standard provided for in VA regulation. Authorizing this waiver will prevent veterans from needlessly choosing to move out of established and appropriate living situations due to minor deficiencies in standards that cannot be corrected, and into more restrictive and/or costly care. In addition, we make a technical edit to correct a reference to the section addressing requests for a hearing.

This document adopts as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule amending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations to freeze the copayments required for certain medications provided by VA until December 31, 2013. Under that rule, the copayment amounts for all enrolled veterans were maintained at the same rates as they were in 2012, which were $8 for veterans in priority groups 2-6 and $9 for veterans in priority groups 7 and 8. On January 1, 2014, the copayment amounts may increase based on the prescription drug component of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P).

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 eligibility for refundable credit.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) 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 request a change of education program or place of training.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) 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 eligibility for aid and attendance for claimants who are patients in nursing home.

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 for information needed to determine claimants' eligibility for educational assistance to supplement tuition assistance.

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 for information needed to service delinquent home loans.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds for assistance to acquire vans in order to facilitate transportation of veteran participants for currently operational Grant and Per Diem grantee projects funded under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program and demonstrate an occupancy rate of 65 percent or better for the period of October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, application process, and amount of funding available.

The Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF) in August 2009 to conduct a comprehensive review of VA's approach to and programs addressing 1990-1991 Gulf War Veterans' illnesses. The third Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force Draft Written Report is now complete. VA is inviting public comments on this draft report.

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is currently reviewing its regulations governing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Verification Program. OSDBU intends to improve the regulations to provide greater clarity, to streamline the program, and to encourage more VOSBs to apply for verification. By issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking, OSDBU seeks comments on how best to approach this undertaking. Although OSDBU identified specific issues for discussion below, it encourages commenters to discuss any issue related to improving these specific regulations and the program.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend its medical regulations concerning eligibility for health care to re- establish the definitions of ``active military, naval, or air service,'' ``active duty,'' and ``active duty for training.'' These definitions were deleted in 1996; however, we believe that all duty periods should be defined in part 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to ensure proper determination of eligibility for VA health care. We would also provide a more complete definition of ``inactive duty training.''

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulations concerning the billing methodology for non-VA providers of home health services and hospice care. Because the newly applicable methodology cannot supersede rates for which VA has specifically contracted, this rulemaking will only affect home health and hospice care providers who do not have existing negotiated contracts with VA. This rule also rescinds internal guidance documents that could be interpreted as conflicting with this final rule.

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, has submitted the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and public comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. To obtain copies of the supporting statement and the related form for this information collection, contact the Further Information Contact listed in this notice. DATE: Comments must be submitted on or before May 30, 2013.

The Office of Human Resources and Administration (HRA), 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 determine an applicant's suitability and qualification for employment.

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 determine whether surviving spouses are entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to remove a regulation that states that a veteran who misses two medical appointments without providing 24 hours' notice and a reasonable excuse is deemed to have refused VA medical care. The current regulation states that no further treatment will be furnished to a veteran deemed to have refused care except in emergency situations, unless the veteran agrees to cooperate by keeping future appointments. VA believes that the current regulation is incompatible with regulatory changes implemented after the regulation was promulgated, is not in line with current practice, and is inconsistent with VA's patient-centered approach to medical care.

The Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OA&L), 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 repair technical medical equipment and devices or mechanical equipment.