Department of Veterans Affairs 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In response to the declaration of a national emergency, announced on March 13, 2020, due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) instituted temporary provisions for determining the acceptable dates for the receipt of correspondence through the United States Postal Service mail and other mail delivery systems. This is an updated notice to VA's April 20, 2020, Federal Register publication.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an 18 month computer matching agreement (CMA) agreement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regarding Veterans and caregivers who are in federal prison and are also in receipt of compensation and pension benefits. The purpose of this CMA is to re-establish the agreement between VA and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), BOP. BOP will disclose information about individuals who are in federal prison. VBA will use this information as a match for recipients of Compensation and Pension benefits for adjustments of awards.

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 reinstatement of a collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides notice that the VA intends to renew a computer matching agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This disclosure provides VA with data to update the master records of VA applicants and beneficiaries, including Veterans and survivors, and their eligible dependent(s) who are receiving income-dependent benefits. This disclosure also provides VA with data to determine the continued eligibility of those receiving income-dependent benefits and those beneficiaries who are receiving disability compensation at the 100 percent rate because of unemployability, and allow VA to adjust or discontinue benefits accordingly.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will facilitate a tribal consultation session regarding care coordination for veterans receiving care under the VA's Indian Health Service/Tribal Health Program (IHS/THP) Reimbursement Agreements Program. VA is seeking input on how we can ensure American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans, who need care beyond what is offered directly within IHS/THP facilities, are able to get that care seamlessly either in VA medical facilities or in the community. VA established the Healthcare Coordination Advisory Board, with participation from IHS and tribes, to assist in developing and implementing standardized processes for care coordination. This consultation session aims to discuss the approach developed from the Advisory Board meetings and receive attendees' feedback on the plans for implementation of care coordination activities. Meeting Access Information: The virtual tribal consultation session will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Participants can access the presentation by logging into the following: https://vacctraining.adobeconnect.com/ tribalconsultationihsthpreimbursementcarecoordinationplan/; for audio, please dial 1-800-767-1750, extension 85286. Participants will interact by submitting written comments/questions using the chat function during the presentation. Written comments may also be submitted to tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov before September 25, 2020, or by mail at Department of Veterans Affairs, Suite 915L, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as final, with changes, a proposed rule to revise its regulations that govern VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). This final rule makes improvements to PCAFC and updates the regulations to comply with the recent enactment of the VA MISSION Act of 2018, which made changes to the program's authorizing statute. This final rule allows PCAFC to better address the needs of veterans of all eras and standardize the program to focus on eligible veterans with moderate and severe needs.

The Office of Management (OM), 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern scholarship programs to certain health care professionals. This rulemaking implements the mandates of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 by establishing a Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program, which will assist VA in meeting the staffing needs of VA physicians in medical specialties for which VA has determined that recruitment or retention of qualified personnel is difficult.

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee ACT (FACA) and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that the following Federal advisory committee is vital to the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and renewing its charter would be in the public interest. Consequently, the charter for the following Federal advisory committee is renewed for a two-year period, beginning on the dates listed below:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations that govern scholarships to certain health care professionals. This rulemaking would implement the mandates of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2018 by establishing a pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training leading to a degree as a physician assistant.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the withdrawal of a notice that was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2020.

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 extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

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 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 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, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 it includes the actual data collection instrument.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 it includes the actual data collection instrument.

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend and update its VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) in phased increments to revise or remove any policy superseded by changes in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to remove procedural guidance that is internal to VA and move it to the VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM), and to incorporate any new agency specific regulations or policies. These changes seek to streamline and 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, will publish them in the Federal Register. VA will combine related topics, as appropriate. This rulemaking revises VAAR coverage concerning Loan Guaranty and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programs, as well as an affected part concerning Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.