[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44402-44403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18732]



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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS



[OMB Control No. 2900-0004]




Proposed Information Collection (Application for Dependency and 

Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a 

Surviving Spouse or Child) 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 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 currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment 

in response to this notice. This notice solicits comments for 

information needed to determine entitlement to dependency and indemnity 

compensation (DIC), death pension and accrued benefits.



DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 

of information should be received on or before September 23, 2011.



ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 

through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits 

Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont 

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [email protected]. 

Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0004'' in any correspondence. 

During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.



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. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death 

Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (Including 

Death Compensation if Applicable), VA Form 21-534.



[[Page 44403]]



    b. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a 

Surviving Spouse or Child--In-service Death Only, VA Form 21-543a.

    OMB Control Number: 2900-0004.

    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

    Abstract:

    a. VA Form 21-534 is used to determine surviving spouse and/or 

children of veterans entitlement to dependency and indemnity 

compensation (DIC), death benefits (including death compensation if 

applicable), and any accrued benefits not paid to the veteran prior to 

death.

    b. Military Casualty Assistance Officers complete VA Form 21-534a 

to assist surviving spouse and/or children of veterans who died on 

active duty in processing claims for dependency and indemnity 

compensation benefits. Accrued benefits and death compensation are not 

payable in claims for DIC.

    Affected Public: Individuals or households.

    Estimated Annual Burden:

    a. VA Form 21-534--76,136 hours.

    b. VA Form 21-534a--600 hours.

    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:

    a. VA Form 21-534--75 minutes.

    b. VA Form 21-534a--15 minutes.

    Frequency of Response: One time.

    Estimated Number of Respondents:

    a. VA Form 21-534--37,700.

    b. VA Form 21-534a--23,209.



    Dated: July 20, 2011.



    By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-18732 Filed 7-22-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-P