80 FR 24319 - Proposed Information Collection (Notice of Disagreement) Activity: Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)

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. VA Form 21-0958, will be used by the Veteran to initiate an appeal by indicating disagreement with a decision issued by a Regional Office (RO).

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24319-24320]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10104]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0791]


Proposed Information Collection (Notice of Disagreement) 
Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, VA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: 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.
    VA Form 21-0958, will be used by the Veteran to initiate an appeal 
by indicating disagreement with a decision issued by a Regional Office 
(RO).

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to

[[Page 24320]]

``OMB Control No. 2900-0791'' in any correspondence. During the comment 
period, comments may be viewed online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 
or FAX (202) 632-8925.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-21), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they 
conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to 
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 21-0958).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0791.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 21-0958, will be used by the Veteran to initiate 
an appeal by indicating disagreement with a decision issued by a 
Regional Office (RO). Historically, VBA commenced a pilot program on 
March 1, 2012 and provided the NOD in all decision and notification 
letters at the pilot location. VA Form 21-0958, is the first step in 
the appeal process. The respondent may or may not continue with an 
appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). If the Veteran opts to 
continue to BVA for an appeal, this form will be included in the claim 
folder as evidence. VA will provide VA Form 21-0958 to claimants with 
the notification letter of the decision in paper form, via hyperlink to 
VA's Web site, or through its electronic claims processing system. The 
use of VA Form 21-0958 is mandatory when claimants want to initiate an 
appeal from a decision on disability compensation claims dated on or 
after March 24, 2015.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 72,000.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 144,000.

    By direction of the Secretary:
Crystal Rennie,
VA Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-10104 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P