[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40770-40771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14861]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0028]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of Information and Technology, Department of Veterans 
Affairs

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Information and Technology (IT), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information used 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 for 
information needed from service organizations requesting to be placed 
on VA's mailing lists for specific publications; to request additional 
information from the correspondent to identify a veteran; to request 
for and consent to release of information from claimant's records to a 
third party; and to determine an applicant's eligibility to receive a 
list of names and addresses of veterans and their dependents.

[[Page 40771]]


DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before August 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Dolly Jackson (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0028'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dolly Jackson at (202) 273-8022 or FAX 
(202) 273-5981.

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, IT invites 
comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of IT's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of IT'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.

Titles

    a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing 
List, VA Form 3215.
    b. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70-2.
    c. Request for and Consent to Release of Information from 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288.
    d. 38 CFR(A) 1.519 Lists of Names and Addresses.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0028.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract

    a. VA operates an outreach services program to ensure veterans and 
beneficiaries have information about benefits and services to which 
they may be entitled. To support the program, VA distributes copies of 
publications to veterans service organizations' representatives to use 
in rendering services and representation of veterans, their spouses and 
dependents. The information collected on VA Form 3215 is used to 
process a request from a service organization to be placed on the 
mailing list for specific VA publications.
    b. VA Form Letter 70-2 is used to obtain additional information 
from a correspondent when the incoming correspondence does not provide 
sufficient information to identify a veteran. VA personnel use the 
information to identify the veteran, determine the location of a 
specific file, and to accomplish the action requested by the 
correspondent such as; process a benefit claim or file material in the 
individual's claims folder. Completion of the form is voluntary and 
failure to furnish the requested information has no adverse effect on 
either the veteran or the correspondent.
    c. VA Form 3288 is completed by veterans or beneficiaries to 
provide VA with a written consent to release records or information to 
third parties such as insurance companies, physicians and other 
individuals.
    d. Title 38, U.S.C., 5701(f)(1) authorizes VA to disclose mailing 
lists of veterans and their dependents to nonprofit organizations, but 
only for certain specific and narrow purposes. Criminal penalties are 
provided for improper use of the list by the organization in violation 
of subsection (f) limitations. The information collection in this 
regulation ensures that any disclosure of a list under this subsection 
is authorized by law. VA must ascertain that the applicant is a 
nonprofit organization and intends to use the list for a proper 
purpose; if not, Title 38, U.S.C., 5701(a) prohibits disclosure.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, not for profit 
institutions, and State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 22,700 hours.
     a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing 
List, VA Form 3215--25 hours.
    b. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70-2--3,750 hours.
    c. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--18,875 hours.
    d. 38 CFR(A) 1.519 Lists of Names and Addresses--50 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent

    a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing 
List, VA Form 3215--10 minutes.
    b. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70-2--5 minutes.
    c. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--7.5 minutes.
    d. 38 CFR(A) 1.519 Lists of Names and Addresses--60 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents

    a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing 
List, VA Form 3215--150.
    b. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70-2--45,000.
    c. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--151,000.
    d. 38 CFR(A) 1.519 Lists of Names and Addresses--50.


    Dated: June 4, 2002.
    By direction of the Secretary:
Barbara H. Epps,
Management Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14861 Filed 6-12-02; 8:45 am]
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