[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 211 (Wednesday, November 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66485-66486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-6042]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0018]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of General Counsel (OGC), 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 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information 
needed to determine accredited service organization representatives' 
qualification to represent claimants before VA.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Michelle D.D. Bernstein (022G2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0018'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle D.D. Bernstein at (202) 273-
6315 or fax (202) 273-6404.

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, OGC 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of OGC's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OGC'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: Accreditation of Service Organization Representatives, VA 
Form 21.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Service organizations are required to file an application 
with VA to establish eligibility for accreditation for representatives 
of the organization to represent benefit claimants before VA. VA Form 
21 is completed by service

[[Page 66486]]

organizations to establish accreditation for representatives, recertify 
the qualifications of accredited representatives, and to cancel 
representatives' accreditation due to misconduct or lack of competence. 
VA uses the information collected to determine whether service 
organizations' representatives continue to meet regulatory eligibility 
requirements and to ensure claimants have qualified representatives to 
assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their 
claims for benefits.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,025 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,867.

    Dated: October 19, 2005.
    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Records Management Service.
 [FR Doc. E5-6042 Filed 11-1-05; 8:45 am]
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