[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32149-32150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15351]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0548]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY: Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 32150]]

SUMMARY: The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) 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. This notice 
solicits comments on requirements relating to BVA's customer 
satisfaction survey.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before August 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
William J. Alexander, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please 
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0548'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Alexander at (202) 565-
4059.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520), 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, BVA 
invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of BVA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of BVA'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: Generic Clearance for the Board of Veterans' Appeals 
Customer Satisfaction Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0548.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12862, Setting Customer Service 
Standards, requires Federal agencies and departments to identify and 
survey its customers to determine the kind and quality of services they 
want and their level of satisfaction with existing service. The BVA 
uses the customer satisfaction survey to evaluate customer services as 
well as customer expectations and desires. The results of this 
information collection lead to improvements in the quality of BVA 
service delivery by helping to shape the direction and focus of 
specific services.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 400 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 6 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.
    The BVA anticipates the survey will identify those aspects of 
service that are most important to benefit claims appellants. The areas 
of concern to the BVA and its customers may change over time, and it is 
important to have the ability to evaluate customer concerns quickly. 
The OMB will be requested to grant generic clearance approval for a 3-
year period to conduct a customer satisfaction survey. Participation in 
the survey will be voluntary and the generic clearance will not be used 
to collect information required to obtain or maintain eligibility for a 
VA program or benefit. In order to maximize the voluntary response 
rates, the information collection will be designed to make 
participation convenient, simple, and free of unnecessary barriers. 
Baseline data obtained through these information collections will be 
used to improve customer service standards. The BVA will consult with 
OMB regarding any changes to the information collection during this 
approval period.

    Dated: June 3, 1997.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15351 Filed 6-11-97; 8:45 am]
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