[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 24050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11207]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-NEW-ALS]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 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 new 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to develop 
a national registry on veterans diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral 
sclerosis.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before July 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann W. Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
NEW-ALS'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann W. Bickoff (202) 273-8310 or FAX 
(202) 273-9381.

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, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA'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. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline Screening Form, VA Form, 10--21047.
    b. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline and Biannual Telephone Assessment.
    c. VA Research Consent Form, VA Form 10--1086.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-NEW-ALS.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Abstract: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of high 
priority to the Department of Veterans Affairs because of ongoing 
concerns about the health of veterans who served in the Gulf War. The 
creation of the registry will have significance both for VA and for the 
larger U.S. society in understanding the natural history of ALS. It 
will provide VA with crucial epidemiological data on the current 
population of veterans with ALS, as well as the ongoing identification 
of new cases. The data will help VA to understand how veterans are 
affected by ALS and may assist with early identification of new ALS 
clusters. This registry will provide a mechanism for informing veterans 
with ALS of new clinical drug trials and other studies.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline Screening Form, VA Form, 10-21047--1,094 
hours.
    b. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline and Biannual Telephone Assessment--3,645.
    c. VA Research Consent Form, VA Form 10-1086--1,421.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
    a. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline Screening Form, VA Form, 10-21047--30 
minutes.
    b. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline and Biannual Telephone Assessment--30 
minutes.
    c. VA Research Consent Form, VA Form 10-1086--20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Semi-annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline Screening Form, VA Form, 10-21047--2,196.
    b. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline and Biannual Telephone Assessment--4,413.
    c. VA Research Consent Form, VA Form 10-1086--1,840.
    Estimated Number of Responses:
    a. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline Screening Form, VA Form, 10-21047--2,196.
    b. National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
(ALS), ALS Initial Baseline and Biannual Telephone Assessment--7,674.
    c. VA Research Consent Form, VA Form 10-1086--1,840.

    Dated: April 24, 2003.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 03-11207 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]
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