[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 4815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2127]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0321]


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 previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed to determine whether representatives of veterans 
service organization are authorized to have access to a beneficiary's 
claim file.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 31, 2003.

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. 
2900-0321'' 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 (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, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's 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: Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's 
Representative, VA Form 21-22.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0321.
    Type of Review: Extension of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: VA beneficiaries to appoint a representative from a 
recognized veterans service organization to represent them in the 
prosecution of their VA claims, must complete VA Form 21-22. The 
information is used to determine who has access to the beneficiary's 
claim file and the right to receive copies of correspondence from VA to 
the beneficiary. Title 38, U.S.C. 5902(b)(2), provides that VA may 
recognize representatives of service organizations to assist 
beneficiaries in the prosecution of VA claims, but that no individual 
shall be recognized unless such individual has filed a power of 
attorney, executed in a manner prescribed by VA.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 27,083 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 325,000.

    Dated: January 15, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise A. Russell,
Acting Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2127 Filed 1-29-03; 8:45 am]
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