[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19605-19606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9359]


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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 mut be submitted on or before May 21, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION 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 or e-mail: [email protected]. Please 
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0018.''
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Titles:
    a. Application for Accreditation as Service Organization 
Representative, VA Form 21.
    b. Appointment of individuals as Claimant's Representative, VA Form 
22a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 21 is used to obtain basic information necessary 
to determine whether an individual may be accredited as a service 
organization representative for the purposes of representation of 
claimants before the VA. The information is used to evaluate 
qualifications, ensure against conflicts of interest, and allow 
appropriate organization officials to certify the character and 
qualifications applicants. It is designed to ensure that regulatory 
standards for accreditation have been met so that claimants for VA 
benefits have available a pool of qualified claims representatives to 
assist them in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their 
claims.
    VA Form 22a is used by a claimant for VA benefits to confer power 
of attorney upon an attorney, agent, or individual service organization 
representative in order that the attorney, agent, or individual 
representative may represent

[[Page 19606]]

the claimant in proceedings before VA. Generally, this power of 
attorney permits VA to release to the attorney, agent, or individual 
representative records pertinent to the benefit claim. The form 
contains a release to be completed by the claimant, which permits the 
claimant to authorize or prohibit VA from disclosing medical records 
specifically protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332.
    An agency may not conducted 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 17, 2002, at page 77320.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit, Not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. VA Form 21--600 hours.
    b. VA Form 22a--1,600 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
    a. VA Form 21--15 minutes.
    b. VA Form 22a--15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. VA Form 21--2,400.
    b. VA Form 22a--6,400.

    Dated: April 7, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary:
Loise Russell,
Acting Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9359 Filed 4-18-03; 8:45 am]
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