[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 188 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55881-55882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22672]


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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD


Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding 
an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to 
request an extension without change of a currently approved collection 
of information: 3220-0038, Medical Reports. Our ICR describes the 
information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by 
OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens.
    The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information 
to determine (1) The practical utility of the collection; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject 
of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must 
contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of 
your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days 
of publication date.
    Under Sections 2(a)(1)(iv), 2(a)(2) and 2(a)(3) of the Railroad 
Retirement Act (RRA), annuities are payable to qualified railroad 
employees whose physical or mental condition is such that they are 
unable to (1) work in their regular occupation (occupational 
disability); or (2) work at all (permanent total disability). The 
requirements for establishment of disability and proof of continuance 
of disability are prescribed in 20 CFR 220.
    Under Sections 2(c)(1)(ii)(c) and 2(d)(1)(ii) of the RRA, annuities 
are also payable to qualified spouses and widow(ers), respectively, who 
have a qualified child who is under a disability which began before age 
22. Annuities are also payable to surviving children on the basis of 
disability under Section 2(d)(1)(iii)(C) if the child's disability 
began before age 22 and to widow(ers) on the basis of disability under 
section 2(d)(1) (i)(B). To meet the disability standard, the RRA 
provides that individuals must have a permanent physical or mental 
condition such that they are unable to engage in any regular 
employment.
    Under section 2(d)(1)(v) of the RRA, annuities are also payable to 
remarried and surviving divorced spouses on the basis of, inter alia, 
disability or having a qualified disabled child in care. However, the 
disability standard in these cases is that found in the Social Security 
Act. That is, individuals must be able to engage in any substantial 
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or 
mental impairment. The RRB also determines entitlement to a period of 
early disability and early Medicare entitlement for qualified claimants 
in accordance with Section 216 of the Social Security Act.
    When making disability determinations, the RRB needs evidence from 
acceptable medical sources. The RRB currently utilizes Forms G-3EMP, 
Report of Medical Condition by Employer; G-197, Authorization to 
Release Medical Information, G-250, Medical Assessment; G-250a, Medical 
Assessment of Residual Functional Capacity; G-260, Report of Seizure 
Disorder; RL-11b, Disclosure of Hospital Medical Records; RL-11d, 
Disclosure of Medical Records from a State Agency; and RL-250, Request 
for Medical Assessment, to obtain the necessary medical evidence. The 
RRB proposes no changes to the information collection. Completion of 
the forms is voluntary. One response is requested of each respondent.
    Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the 
initial 60-day notice (73 FR 22183 on April 24,

[[Page 55882]]

2008) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no 
comments.

Information Collection Request (ICR)

    Title: Medical Reports.
    OMB Control Number: OMB 3220-0038.
    Form(s) submitted: G-3EMP, G-197, G-250, G-250a, G-260, RL-11B, RL-
11D, RL-250.
    Type of request: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection of information.
    Affected public: Individuals or households; Private Sector; State, 
Local and Tribal Government.
    Abstract: The Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities 
for qualified railroad employees whose physical or mental condition 
renders them incapable of working in their regular occupation 
(occupational disability) or any occupation (total disability). The 
medical reports obtain information needed for determining the nature 
and severity of the impairment.
    Changes proposed: The RRB proposes no changes to the forms in the 
collection.
    The burden estimate for the ICR is as follows:

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                                                                      Annual
                            Form No.                                 responses      Time (min.)   Burden (hours)
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G-3EMP..........................................................             600              10             100
G-197...........................................................           6,000              10           1,000
G-250...........................................................          11,950              30           5,975
G-250a..........................................................              50              20              17
G-260...........................................................             100              25              42
RL-11b..........................................................           5,000              10             833
RL-11d..........................................................             250              10              42
RL-250..........................................................          11,950              10           1,992
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    Total.......................................................          35,900  ..............          10,001
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    Additional information or comments: Copies of the form and 
supporting documents can be obtained from Charles Mierzwa, the agency 
clearance officer at (312-751-3363) or [email protected].
    Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed 
to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, 
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or [email protected] and to the OMB 
Desk Officer for the RRB, at the Office of Management and Budget, Room 
10230, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Charles Mierzwa,
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-22672 Filed 9-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P