Department of Veterans Affairs August 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending and updating its VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) in phased increments to revise or remove any policy superseded by changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to remove procedural guidance internal to VA into the VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM), and to incorporate any new agency specific regulations or policies. These changes seek to align the VAAR with the FAR and remove outdated and duplicative requirements and reduce burden on contractors. The VAAM incorporates portions of the removed VAAR as well as other internal agency acquisition policy. VA will rewrite certain parts of the VAAR and VAAM, and as VAAR parts are rewritten, VA will publish them in the Federal Register. In particular, this rulemaking adds or revises VAAR coverage concerning Environment, Energy and Water Efficiency, Renewable Energy Technologies, Occupational Safety, and Drug-Free Workplace; Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information; Other Socioeconomic Programs; and Contract Modifications, as well as affected parts covering Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation System, Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts and Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This final rule will enable grantees to augment available housing options for homeless veterans in high rent burden communities by increasing the rental assistance for up to two years before recertification. Conditions in some local housing markets such as low vacancy rates and higher costs have made it increasingly difficult to recruit landlords and help homeless veteran families find and sustain permanent housing. Providing enhanced rental assistance in these communities is necessary to help VA progress in its goal to end veteran homelessness.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is correcting a Notice that published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2019 which provides information on the annual pay range, which is the sum of the base pay rate and market pay for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physicians, dentists, and podiatrists as prescribed by the Secretary for Department-wide applicability.

Veterans Health Administration, 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.

Veterans Benefits Administration, 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.

Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 final rule reflects current VA practices relative to respecting the expressed wishes of the personal representative when making arrangements for the committal or memorial service. The final rule clarifies the process for requesting committal or memorial services when requesting interment at VA national cemeteries and addresses access to public areas at VA national cemeteries. The final rule also addresses when committal services may be conducted at a gravesite rather than in a committal shelter and standardizes measures to implement the statutory requirement that VA notify the personal representative of the funeral honors available to the deceased veteran.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend the section of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule) that addresses the cardiovascular system. The proposed changes incorporate medical advances that have occurred since the last review, update medical terminology, and clarify evaluation criteria where necessary. Where changes to the scientific and/or medical nature of a given condition have been proposed, VA has cited the published, publicly- available sources for these changes. The proposed changes are not a reflection of any particular expert's comments or recommendations, but were based on published, peer-reviewed materials. Materials from the public forum, held in 2011, are available for public inspection at the Office of Regulation Policy and Management (see the ADDRESSES section of this rulemaking), and other deliberative materials are cited herein.