[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49916-49917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23481]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0001]


Proposed Information Collection (Veteran's Application for 
Compensation and/or Pension) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an

[[Page 49917]]

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 revision 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 a veteran's eligibility, dependency, 
and income, as applicable, for compensation and/or pension benefits and 
to assist veterans in reopening a previously denied disability 
compensation claim or to request an increase in benefit and/or claim 
for a new service-connected condition.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 30, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through http://www.Regulations.gov; or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans 
Benefits Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0001'' 
in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be 
viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at 
http://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 461-9769 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

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, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA'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. Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension, VA Form 
21-526.
    b. Veteran's Supplemental Claim Application, VA Form 21-526b.
    c. Authorization and Consent Release Information to the Department 
of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA Form 21-4142.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0001.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstracts:
    a. Veterans complete VA Form 21-526 to apply for compensation and/
or pension benefits.
    b. Veterans who previously filed a claim using VA Form 21-526, 
Application for Compensation or Pension, and who wish to request an 
increase in a service connected condition, reopen their claim for a 
previously denied claim, and/or file a claim for a new service-
connected condition must complete VA Form 21-526b. VA Form 21-526b will 
be used for supplemental claims for disability compensation.
    c. Veterans who need VA's assistance in obtaining non-VA medical 
records must complete VA Form 21-4142.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. VA Form 21-526--391,708.
    b. VA Form 21-526b--50,000.
    c. VA Form 21-4142--274.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
    a. VA Form 21-526--1 hour.
    b. VA Form 21-526b--15 minutes
    c. VA Form 21-4142--5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. VA Form 21-526--391,708
    b. VA Form 21-526b--200,000
    c. VA Form 21-4142--3,292.

    Dated: September 24, 2009.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. E9-23481 Filed 9-28-09; 8:45 am]
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