[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80448-80449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32892]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


VASRD Forum--Improving VA's Disability Evaluation Criteria for 
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Organs of Special 
Sense, Gynecological Conditions and Disorders of the Breast, and Skin

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA) will co-host the Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) Forum--Improving VA's 
Disability Evaluation Criteria for the Neurological Conditions and 
Convulsive Disorders, Organs of Special Sense, Gynecological Conditions 
and Disorders of the Breast, and Skin. The purpose of this VASRD 
Improvement Forum is to capture public comment and current medical 
science information from presentations made by subject matter experts. 
This Forum is scheduled for January 17-26, 2012. VA plans to use this 
information to update the sections of VASRD that pertain to the 
following four body systems: (1) Neurological Conditions and Convulsive 
Disorders (38 CFR 4.120-4.124a), (2) Organs of Special Sense (38 CFR 
4.75-4.79), (3) Gynecological Conditions and Disorders of the Breast 
(38 CFR 4.116), and (4) The Skin (38 CFR 4.118). Specifically, 
diagnostic code descriptors and evaluation criteria will be discussed.

DATES: The plenary session on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, from 8 a.m.-
4:30 p.m., will cover neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. 
The plenary session on Thursday, January 19, 2012, from 8 a.m.-4:30 
p.m., will cover organs of special sense with emphasis on the eyes. The 
plenary session on the morning of Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 8 
a.m.-12 p.m., will cover gynecological conditions and disorders of the 
breast. The plenary session on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, from 8 
a.m.-4:30 p.m., will cover skin conditions.
    The Neurology Work Group meeting will take place from 9 a.m.-4:30 
p.m.,

[[Page 80449]]

on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The Opthomamology Work Group will meet 
from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2012. The Gynecology Work 
Group will meet from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. On 
Thursday, January 26, 2012, the Skin Conditions Work Group will meet 
from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: All plenary sessions will be held at the VHA New York Harbor 
Healthcare System, Manhattan Campus, located at 423 East 23rd Street, 
New York, NY 10010. The Gynecology Work Group will also meet at the 
Manhattan Campus. The Neurology, Opthomamology and Skin Conditions Work 
Groups' meetings will occur at the VBA New York Regional Office located 
at 245 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014.
    Public Comment: Contingent upon available capacity and time, 
individuals wishing to make oral statements or ask questions will be 
accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Olmos-Lau, M.D., Regulation 
Staff, Compensation Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420. Anyone wishing to attend 
these meetings or seeking additional information may also contact Dr. 
Olmos-Lau at (202) 461-9695 or [email protected].

    Dated: December 16, 2011.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2011-32892 Filed 12-22-11; 8:45 am]
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