81 FR 32386 - Proposed Information Collection (Notice of Disagreement (NOD) (Pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Burial and Accrued), VA Form 21P-0970); Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 99 (May 23, 2016)

Page Range		32386-32387
FR Document		2016-12033

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 new collection of information and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 99 (Monday, May 23, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32386-32387]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12033]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW]


Proposed Information Collection (Notice of Disagreement (NOD) 
(Pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Burial and 
Accrued), VA Form 21P-0970); Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 new collection of information and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before July 22, 2016.

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 ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-NEW, VA Form 21P-0970'' 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 (NOD) (Pension, Dependency and 
Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Burial and Accrued), VA Form 21P-0970.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-NEW.
    Type of Review: New Collection (Request for a new OMB Control 
Number).
    Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its 
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers an integrated 
program of benefits and services, established by law, for Veterans, 
service personnel, and their dependents and/or beneficiaries. 
Information is requested by this form under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 
7105. The statute is codified at 38 CFR 20.201, 20.302, and 20.501.
    The statute and regulations describe the process by which a 
claimant can appeal the decisions made by VBA on a claim for benefits.
    VA Form 21P-0970 will be used by the claimant to initiate an appeal 
by indicating disagreement with a decision issued by a VA Regional 
Office (RO) specifically related to a claim for VA pension benefits, 
dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits, burial benefits, 
and accrued benefits. VA Form 21P-0970 will be the claimant's 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 claimant opts 
to continue to BVA for an appeal, this form will be included in the 
claim folder as evidence.
    VA will provide VA Form 21P-0970 to the claimant with the 
notification letter of the decision in paper form or via hyperlink to 
VA's Web site. The use of VA Form 21P-0970 will be mandatory when 
claimants initiate an appeal of a decision on a pension, DIC, burial, 
or accrued claims for benefits.
    Currently, VBA does not have a mandatory form which would enable 
the claimant to initiate an appeal of a decision made regarding 
entitlement to pension, DIC, burial, or accrued benefits. As a result, 
claimants may provide their notice of disagreement in any format. The 
variety of submissions hampers efforts to identify, and process timely, 
the claimant's appeal. With the implementation of this collection, the 
submissions will be standardized, increasing efficiency.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 6,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.


[[Page 32387]]


    By direction of the Secretary.
Kathleen M. Manwell,
Program Analyst, VA Privacy Service, Office of Privacy and Records 
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-12033 Filed 5-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

32386 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices

Estimated Time per Respondent: 45 SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Type of Review: New Collection
minutes. Administration (VBA), Department of (Request for a new OMB Control
Estimated Total Annual Burden Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an Number).
Hours: 75. opportunity for public comment on the Abstract: The Department of Veterans
The following paragraph applies to all proposed collection of certain Affairs (VA), through its Veterans
the collections of information covered information by the agency. Under the Benefits Administration (VBA),
by this notice: Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of administers an integrated program of
An agency may not conduct or 1995, Federal agencies are required to benefits and services, established by
sponsor, and a person is not required to publish notice in the Federal Register
law, for Veterans, service personnel, and
respond to, a collection of information concerning each proposed new
their dependents and/or beneficiaries.
unless the collection of information collection of information and allow 60
Information is requested by this form
displays a valid OMB control number. days for public comment in response to
under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7105.
Books or records relating to a collection the notice.
The statute is codified at 38 CFR 20.201,
of information must be retained as long DATES: Written comments and
as their contents may become material 20.302, and 20.501.
recommendations on the proposed
in the administration of any internal The statute and regulations describe
collection of information should be
revenue law. Generally, tax returns and the process by which a claimant can
received on or before July 22, 2016.
tax return information are confidential, appeal the decisions made by VBA on
as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments a claim for benefits.
Request for Comments: Comments on the collection of information through
VA Form 21P–0970 will be used by
submitted in response to this notice will Federal Docket Management System
the claimant to initiate an appeal by
be summarized and/or included in the (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to
indicating disagreement with a decision
request for OMB approval. All Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits
issued by a VA Regional Office (RO)
comments will become a matter of Administration (20M33), Department of
specifically related to a claim for VA
public record. Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to pension benefits, dependency and
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits,
the collection of information is nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to
‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–NEW, VA burial benefits, and accrued benefits.
necessary for the proper performance of VA Form 21P–0970 will be the
the functions of the agency, including Form 21P–0970’’ in any
correspondence. During the comment claimant’s first step in the appeal
whether the information shall have
period, comments may be viewed online process. The respondent may or may not
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
through the FDMS. continue with an appeal to the Board of
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
Veterans Appeals (BVA). If the claimant
collection of information; (c) ways to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: opts to continue to BVA for an appeal,
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632–8924 or this form will be included in the claim
of the information to be collected; (d) FAX (202) 632–8925.
ways to minimize the burden of the folder as evidence.
collection of information on SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the VA will provide VA Form 21P–0970
respondents, including through the use PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. to the claimant with the notification
of automated collection techniques or 3501–21), Federal agencies must obtain letter of the decision in paper form or
other forms of information technology; approval from the Office of Management via hyperlink to VA’s Web site. The use
and (e) estimates of capital or start-up and Budget (OMB) for each collection of of VA Form 21P–0970 will be
costs and costs of operation, information they conduct or sponsor. mandatory when claimants initiate an
maintenance, and purchase of services This request for comment is being made appeal of a decision on a pension, DIC,
to provide information. pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the burial, or accrued claims for benefits.
PRA.
Approved: May 13, 2016. Currently, VBA does not have a
With respect to the following
Allan Hopkins, mandatory form which would enable
collection of information, VBA invites
Tax Analyst. comments on: (1) Whether the proposed the claimant to initiate an appeal of a
[FR Doc. 2016–12131 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am] collection of information is necessary decision made regarding entitlement to
BILLING CODE 4830–01–P for the proper performance of VBA’s pension, DIC, burial, or accrued
functions, including whether the benefits. As a result, claimants may
information will have practical utility; provide their notice of disagreement in
(2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the any format. The variety of submissions
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS hampers efforts to identify, and process
AFFAIRS burden of the proposed collection of
information; (3) ways to enhance the timely, the claimant’s appeal. With the
quality, utility, and clarity of the implementation of this collection, the
[OMB Control No. 2900–NEW]
information to be collected; and (4) submissions will be standardized,
Proposed Information Collection ways to minimize the burden of the increasing efficiency.
(Notice of Disagreement (NOD) collection of information on Affected Public: Individuals or
(Pension, Dependency and Indemnity respondents, including through the use households.
Compensation (DIC), Burial and of automated collection techniques or Estimated Annual Burden: 6,000
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Accrued), VA Form 21P–0970); the use of other forms of information hours.
Comment Request technology.
Estimated Average Burden per
Title: Notice of Disagreement (NOD)
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Respondent: 30 minutes.
(Pension, Dependency and Indemnity
Administration, Department of Veterans Frequency of Response: One time.
Compensation (DIC), Burial and
Affairs.
Accrued), VA Form 21P–0970. Estimated Number of Respondents:
ACTION: Notice.
OMB Control Number: 2900–NEW. 12,000.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices 32387

By direction of the Secretary. collection of information is necessary DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
Kathleen M. Manwell, for the proper performance of VBA’s AFFAIRS
Program Analyst, VA Privacy Service, Office functions, including whether the
[OMB Control No. 2900–0797]
of Privacy and Records Management, information will have practical utility;
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the Proposed Information Collection
[FR Doc. 2016–12033 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am] burden of the proposed collection of (Principles of Excellence Complaint
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P information; (3) ways to enhance the System Intake); Activity: Comment
quality, utility, and clarity of the Request
information to be collected; and (4)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS ways to minimize the burden of the AGENCY: Veterans Benefits
AFFAIRS collection of information on Administration, Department of Veterans
respondents, including through the use Affairs.
[OMB Control No. 2900–0161]
of automated collection techniques or ACTION: Notice.
Proposed Information Collection the use of other forms of information
technology. SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits
(Medical Expense Report, VA Form
Administration (VBA), Department of
21P–8416) Activity: Comment Request Title: Medical Expense Report, VA Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Form 21P–0161. opportunity for public comment on the
Administration, Department of Veterans OMB Control Number: 2900–0161. proposed collection of certain
Affairs. Type of Review: Revision of a information by the agency. Under the
ACTION: Notice. Currently Approved Collection. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, Federal agencies are required to
SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Abstract: The Department of Veterans publish notice in the Federal Register
Administration (VBA), Department of Affairs (VA), through its Veterans concerning each proposed collection of
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an Benefits Administration (VBA), information, including each proposed
opportunity for public comment on the administers an integrated program of extension of a currently approved
proposed collection of certain benefits and services established by law collection, and allow 60 days for public
information by the agency. Under the for veterans, service personnel, and comment in response to the notice.
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of their dependents and/or beneficiaries. DATES: Written comments and
1995, Federal agencies are required to Information is requested by this form recommendations on the proposed
publish notice in the Federal Register under the authority of 38 U.S.C. collection of information should be
concerning each proposed collection of 1503(a)(8) regarding exceptions to received on or before July 22, 2016.
information, including each proposed countable income for needs-based
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
revision of a currently approved benefits, specifically an amount equal to
on the collection of information through
collection, and allow 60 days for public amounts paid by a claimant or
Federal Docket Management System
comment in response to the notice. beneficiary for unreimbursed medical
(FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to
DATES: Written comments and expenses.
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits
recommendations on the proposed VA Form 21P–8416 is used by Administration (20M33), Department of
collection of information should be claimants and beneficiaries to report Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
received on or before July 22, 2016. unreimbursed medical expenses for the NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments purpose of reducing their countable nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to
on the collection of information through income associated with needs-based ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0797’’ in any
Federal Docket Management System benefit programs such as VA Pension correspondence. During the comment
(FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to and Parents’ Dependency and period, comments may be viewed online
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Indemnity Compensation (DIC). through the FDMS.
Administration (20M33), Department of Unreimbursed medical expenses are FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue deducted from otherwise countable Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632–8924 or
NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to income to determine eligibility for FAX (202) 632–8925.
nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to income-based benefits and the rate
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0161’’ in any payable.
PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C.
correspondence. During the comment Affected Public: Individuals or 3501–21), Federal agencies must obtain
period, comments may be viewed online households. approval from the Office of Management
through the FDMS. and Budget (OMB) for each collection of
Estimated Annual Burden: 48,200
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: hours. information they conduct or sponsor.
Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632–8924 or This request for comment is being made
FAX (202) 632–8925. Estimated Average Burden per
pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Respondent: 30 minutes.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA.
PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13; 44 U.S.C. Frequency of Response: One time. With respect to the following
3501–21), Federal agencies must obtain Estimated Number of Respondents: collection of information, VBA invites
approval from the Office of Management 96,400. comments on: (1) Whether the proposed
and Budget (OMB) for each collection of collection of information is necessary
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

By direction of the Secretary.
information they conduct or sponsor. for the proper performance of VBA’s
This request for comment is being made Kathleen M. Manwell, functions, including whether the
pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Program Analyst, VA Privacy Service, Office information will have practical utility;
PRA. of Privacy and Records Management, (2) the accuracy of VBA’s estimate of the
With respect to the following Department of Veterans Affairs. burden of the proposed collection of
collection of information, VBA invites [FR Doc. 2016–12032 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am] information; (3) ways to enhance the
comments on: (1) Whether the proposed BILLING CODE 8320–01–P quality, utility, and clarity of the

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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:07:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:07:19

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before July 22, 2016.
Contact		Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 or FAX (202) 632-8925.
FR Citation		81 FR 32386