Department of Veterans Affairs September 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is adding to its medical regulations a program for the repayment of educational loans for certain psychiatrists who agree to a period of obligated service with VA. This program is intended to increase the pool of qualified VA psychiatrists and increase veterans' access to mental health care.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), 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. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL), 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.

On July 11, 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a direct final rule amending its regulation that governs soliciting contributions from the public by officials and employees of NCA, or authorizing the use of officials' or employees' names, name of the Secretary, or the name of VA for the purpose of making a gift or donation to VA. VA received two supportive comments and no adverse comments concerning the direct final rule and its companion substantially identical proposed rule published in the Federal Register on the same date. This document confirms that the direct final rule became effective on September 9, 2016. In a companion document in this issue of the Federal Register, we are withdrawing as unnecessary the proposed rule.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Education Service is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education (VACOE). The Committee is authorized by statute, 38 U.S.C. 3692, and operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2. The Committee provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the administration of education and training programs, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and recommends new and improved education benefit programs and services for Veterans and Servicepersons, Reservists and Guard personnel, and for dependents of Veterans under chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, and 36 of title 38, and chapters 1606 of title 10, United States Code. The Committee submits its recommendations and reports to the Secretary and may also submit its reports to Congress. The Secretary appoints Committee members and determines the length of terms in which Committee members may serve. A term of service for any member may not exceed two years. The Secretary can reappoint members for additional terms, but individual members cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. Each year, there are several vacancies on the Committee as members' terms expire. Education Service is seeking candidates who reflect the population the Committee serves. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget guidance, federally registered lobbyists may not serve on Federal advisory committees in their individual capacity. Additional information regarding this issue can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/ articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revised-guidance-on-appointmen t-of- lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-committees-boards-and-commissio ns.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its adjudication regulations relating to presumptive service connection to add certain diseases associated with contaminants present in the base water supply at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Camp Lejeune), North Carolina, from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. The chemical compounds involved have been associated by various scientific organizations with the development of certain diseases. This proposed rule would establish that veterans, former reservists, and former National Guard members, who served at Camp Lejeune for no less than 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) during this period, and who have been diagnosed with any of eight associated diseases, are presumed to have a service-connected disability for purposes of entitlement to VA benefits. In addition, VA proposes to establish a presumption that these individuals were disabled during the relevant period of service, thus establishing active military service for benefit purposes. Under this proposed presumption, affected former reservists and National Guard members would have veteran status for purposes of entitlement to some VA benefits. This proposed amendment would implement a decision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that service connection on a presumptive basis is warranted for claimants who served at Camp Lejeune during the relevant period and for the requisite amount of time and later develop certain diseases. The Secretary's decision is supported by the conclusions of internationally recognized scientific authorities that strong evidence exists establishing a relationship between exposure to certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were in the water at Camp Lejeune and later development of certain disabilities.

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.

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.

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.