81 FR 90922 - Agency Information Collection Activity (Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (VA Form 21-0781) and Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault (VA Form 21-0781a))

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 241 (December 15, 2016)

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 Forms 21-0781 and 21-0781a are used to gather specific information about in-service stressors, so VA can assist claimants in obtaining credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors occurred. In-service stressors reported by veterans must be verifiable. VA cannot thoroughly research military records and other sources of information for credible supporting evidence unless the veteran provides VA with specific information about the in-service stressors. The forms request information that is necessary to conduct meaningful research of records.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90922-90923]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30096]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0659]


Agency Information Collection Activity (Support of Claim for 
Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (VA Form 
21-0781) and Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault (VA Form 21-
0781a))

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs

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 Forms 21-0781 and 21-0781a are used to gather specific 
information about in-service stressors, so VA can assist claimants in 
obtaining credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors 
occurred. In-service stressors reported by veterans must be verifiable. 
VA cannot thoroughly research military records and other sources of 
information for credible supporting evidence unless the veteran 
provides VA with specific information about the in-service stressors. 
The forms request information that is necessary to conduct meaningful 
research of records.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before February 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System

[[Page 90923]]

(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. 2900-0659'' 
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: Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder (PTSD) (VA Form 21-0781) and Support of Claim for 
Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary 
to Personal Assault (VA Form 21-0781a).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0659.
    Type of Review: Revision of an approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Forms 21-0781 and 21-0781a are used to gather specific 
information about in-service stressors, so VA can assist claimants in 
obtaining credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors 
occurred. In-service stressors reported by veterans must be verifiable. 
VA cannot thoroughly research military records and other sources of 
information for credible supporting evidence unless the veteran 
provides VA with specific information about the in-service stressors. 
The forms request information that is necessary to conduct meaningful 
research of records.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 17,780 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 70 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,240.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,
VA Clearance Officer, Office of Privacy and Records Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-30096 Filed 12-14-16; 8:45 am]
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