[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2460-2461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-924]


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

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0598]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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, without change, of a previously approved 
collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating Gulf 
War veterans.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 14, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please 
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0598'' in any correspondence.


[[Page 2461]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

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, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA'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: National Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and their 
Families: Phase III Physical Examinations.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0598.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: In November of 1994 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was 
directed by the ``Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act,'' Title I of 
the ``Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994,'' Public Law 103-
446, to conduct a health survey of Persian Gulf veterans and their 
spouses and children. In response to the legislative mandate, the VHA 
initiated a survey entitled ``National Health Survey of Gulf War Era 
Veterans and their Families.'' The present survey protocol represents 
Phase III of the study, clinical examinations of a sample of 1,000 Gulf 
War veterans and their spouses and children and 1,000 Gulf War era 
nondeployed veterans and their spouses and children. The Cooperative 
Studies Evaluation Committee approved this study in September of 1997. 
Physicians within and outside the Department of Veterans Affairs 
hospital system will use the information collected during Phase III to 
aid in diagnosing and treating Gulf War veterans. Researchers will also 
use the information to further identify any possible illnesses 
associated with the myriad of symptoms presented by Gulf War veterans.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 140,046 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 25 hours, 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: The forms will be completed by the clinical 
staff once during at two-day battery of examinations; there will be no 
follow-up visits.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,492 study participants. (A total 
2,000 veterans, 1,520 spouses, and 1,972 children will be examined 
during Phase III.)

    Dated: December 23, 1999.

    By direction of the Secretary:
Sandra McIntyre,
Program Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 00-924 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P