[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44668-44669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21505]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0036]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

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 extension 
of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment 
in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information 
needed to determine if a decision of presumptive death can be made for 
benefit payment purposes.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before October 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or e-mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0036'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 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, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's

[[Page 44669]]

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: Statement of Disappearance, VA Form 21-1775.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0036.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Title 38, U.S.C., Section 108, requires a formal 
presumption of death when a veteran has been missing for seven years. 
VA Form 21-1775 is used to gather the necessary information for proper 
decisions regarding the unexplained absence of an individual. Without 
this information, it would not be possible for VA to authorize death 
benefits.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 2,000 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 2 hours 45 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,500.

    Dated: August 15, 2001.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21505 Filed 8-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P