[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37898-37899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3447]


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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 this notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed (a) from service organizations requesting to be 
placed on VA's mailing lists for specific publications; (b) to request 
additional information from the correspondent to identify a veteran; 
(c) to request for and consent to release of information from 
claimant's records to a third party; and (d) to determine an 
applicant's eligibility to receive a list of names and addresses of 
veterans and their dependents.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before August 29, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Dolly Jackson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Records Management 
Service (005E3), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 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 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), 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 for and Consent to Release of Information from 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288.
    c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70-2.
    d. 38 CFR 1.519(A) 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 be 
used in rendering services and representation of veterans, their 
spouses and dependents. Service organizations complete VA Form 3215 to 
request placement on a mailing list for specific VA publications.
    b. Veterans or beneficiaries complete VA Form 3288 to provide VA 
with a written consent to release his or her records or information to 
third parties such as insurance companies, physicians and other 
individuals.
    c. 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 processing a benefit claim or file material in 
the individual's claims folder.

[[Page 37899]]

    d. Title 38 U.S.C. 5701(f)(1) authorized the disclosure of names or 
addresses, or both of present or former members of the Armed Forces 
and/or their beneficiaries to nonprofit organizations (including 
members of Congress) to notify veterans of Title 38 benefits and to 
provide assistance to veterans in obtaining these benefits. This 
release includes VA's Outreach Program for the purpose of advising 
veterans of non-VA Federal State and local benefits and programs.
    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 for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--18,875 hours.
    c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70--2-3,750 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 for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--7.5 minutes.
    c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70--2-5 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 for and Consent to Release of Information From 
Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288--151,000.
    c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form 
Letter 70--2-45,000.
    d. 38 CFR(A) 1.519 Lists of Names and Addresses--50.

    Dated: June 23, 2005.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. E5-3447 Filed 6-29-05; 8:45 am]
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