[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 6846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2716]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0605]


Proposed Information Collection (Application for Accreditation as 
a Claims Agent or Attorney) Activity: 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 applicants' eligibility for accreditation as claims 
agents and attorneys with VA.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before April 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
David McLenachen (022D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail: [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0605'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David McLenachen at (202) 461-7699 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.
    Titles:
    a. Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent or Attorney, VA 
Form 21a.
    b. Filing of Representatives' Fee Agreements and Motions for Review 
of Such Fee Agreements.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0605.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Applicants seeking accreditation as claims agents or 
attorneys to represent benefits claimants before VA must complete VA 
Form 21a. The applicant is required to file the application with VA 
General Counsel to establish initial eligibility for accreditation. The 
information requested is necessary to establish the statutory and 
regulatory eligibility requirements, e.g., good character and 
reputation which includes basic identifying information, information 
concerning past representation, military service, employment, criminal 
activity and mental health of the applicant. The data is used to 
determine the applicant's eligibility for accreditation as a claims 
agent. The data collected under Filing of Representatives' Fee 
Agreements and Motions for Review of Such Fee Agreements is used to 
determine whether a fee agreement between claimants and their 
representative is in compliance with the law governing representation.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent, VA Form 21a--
1,967 hours.
    b. Filing of Representatives' Fee Agreements--1,222 hours
    c. Motions for Review of Such Fee Agreements--78 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:
    a. Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent or Attorney, VA 
Form 21a--45 minutes.
    b. Filing of Representatives' Fee Agreements--12 minutes.
    c. Motions for Review of Such Fee Agreements--2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. Application for Accreditation as a Claims Agent, VA Form 21a--
2,623.
    b. Filing of Representatives' Fee Agreements--5,869.
    c. Motions for Review of Such Fee Agreements--39.

    Dated: February 3, 2011.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2716 Filed 2-7-11; 8:45 am]
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