Department of Veterans Affairs November 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is modifying the system of records entitled ``Ethics Consultation Web-based Database (ECWeb)-VA'' (152VA10P6). VA is modifying the system by revising the System Name; System Number; System Location; Purpose of the System; Categories of Records in the System; Record Source Categories; Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System; Policies and Practices for Storage of Records; Policies and Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records; and Physical, Procedural, and Administrative Safeguards. VA is republishing the system notice in its entirety.

On September 30, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register a final rule that amended the portion of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (``VASRD'' or ``rating schedule'') that addresses the cardiovascular system. This correction addresses the application of the general rating formula for diseases of the heart in the published final rule.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Health 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 Health Administration (VHA), 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 updating the monetary allowance payable for qualifying interments that occur during Calendar Year (CY) 2022, which applies toward the private purchase of an outer burial receptacle (or ``graveliner'') for use in a VA national cemetery. The allowance is equal to the average cost of Government- furnished graveliners less any administrative costs to VA. The purpose of this notice is to notify interested parties of the average cost of Government-furnished graveliners, administrative costs that relate to processing and paying the allowance and the amount of the allowance payable for qualifying interments that occur CY 2022.

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 accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, all agencies are required to publish in the Federal Register a notice of the existence and character of their systems of records. Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the system of records entitled ``Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) RecordsVA'' (119VA005R1C).

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 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. This rulemaking revises the VAAR by adding a part covering Acquisition of Information Technology and revising coverage concerning Other Contracts for Goods and Services involving mandatory information, privacy, and security requirements to include policy concerning VA Sensitive Personal Information, information security, and liquidated damages requirements for data breach in the following parts: Administrative and Information Matters; Describing Agency Needs; Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information, as well as Acquisition of Commercial Items. It also revises affected parts concerning Definitions of Words and Terms, and Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 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 Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA), 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. Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before January 14, 2022.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is holding a public meeting to seek information from pertinent entities to inform VA's review of access standards for furnishing hospital care, medical services, and extended care services to covered veterans for purposes of the Veterans Community Care Program. Specifically, VA requests information, including but not limited to the following: Information regarding health plans on the use of access standards for the design of health plan provider networks; referrals from network providers to out- of-network providers; the appeals process for exemptions from benefit limits to out-of-network providers; and the measurement of performance against Federal or state regulatory standards. Further, VA is requesting input on veterans' experience with the access standards established in 2019.

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 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 (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 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 (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 and it includes the actual data collection instrument.

The 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 Reinstatement of a Previously Approved Information Collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

This notice provides updated information to participants in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Guaranty program concerning the maximum allowable fees for legal services performed in connection with the foreclosure of single-family housing loans. This notice also provides updated information concerning the legal fees for bankruptcy-related services. The table in this notice contains the amounts the Secretary has determined to be reasonable and customary in all states, following an annual review of the amounts allowed by other Government-related home loan programs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations by adding new regulations that would govern scholarship programs to certain health care professionals. This rulemaking implements the mandates of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 by establishing the Readjustment Counseling Service Scholarship Program (RCSSP). The RCSSP provides educational assistance to individuals who pursue a graduate degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling that meet the education requirements for appointment as a health care professional in one of those fields in VA Vet Centers.

The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is soliciting public comment on VA's current standards for quality to ensure that they include the most up to date and applicable measures for veterans.

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) regulations governing the submission and processing of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

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 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 (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 and it includes the actual data collection instrument.