[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2482-2483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-822]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0018]


Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 
(44 U.S.C., 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Office of 
General Counsel (OGC), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted 
the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission 
describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 12, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise McLamb, Information Management 
Service (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-8030 or FAX (202) 273-5981. Please 
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0018.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Titles: a. Application for Accreditation as Service Organization 
Representative, VA Form 21.
    b. Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative, VA Form 
22a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: VA Form 21 will be used to obtain basic information 
necessary to

[[Page 2483]]

determine whether an individual may be accredited as a service 
organization representative for purposes of representation of claimants 
before VA. The information will be used by VA to evaluate 
qualifications, ensure against conflicts of interest, and allow 
appropriate organization officials to certify the character and 
qualifications of applicants.
    VA Form 22a will be used by a claimant for VA benefits to confer 
power of attorney upon an attorney or agent in order that the attorney 
or agent may represent the claimant in proceedings before VA. The 
information is necessary for determining whether access to claimant 
records may be provided and for notification purposes.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 
60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of 
information was published on December 2, 1999, at pages 67625 and 
67626.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit and Not-for-profit institutions and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,775 hours.
    a. VA form 21--275 hours.
    b. VA Form 22a--2,500 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    a. VA form 21--15 minutes.
    b. VA Form 22a--15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,100.
    a. VA Form 21--1,100.
    b. VA Form 22a--10,000.
    Send comments and recommendations concerning any aspect of the 
information collection to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources 
and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-7316. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0018'' in any correspondence.

    Dated: November 28, 2000.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Barbara H. Epps,
Management Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-822 Filed 1-10-01; 8:45 am]
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