[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20890-20891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8278]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0321]


Proposed Information Collection (Appointment of Veterans Service 
Organization/or Individuals as Claimant's Representative) 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 the notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed to determine whether claimant appointed a veterans 
service organization or an individual to prosecute their VA claims.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0321'' 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: Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's 
Representative, VA Form 21-22 and Appointment of Individual as 
Claimant's Representative, VA Form 21-22a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0321.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

[[Page 20891]]

    Abstract: Claimants complete VA Forms 21-22 and 21-22a to appoint a 
veterans service organization or an individual to assist in the 
preparation, representation, and prosecution of claims for VA benefits 
and to authorize VA to disclose any or all records to the appointed 
representative.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. VA Form 21-22--27,083 hours.
    b. VA Form 21-22a--533 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One-time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. VA Form 21-22--325,000.
    b. VA Form 251-22a--6,400.

    Dated: April 3, 2012.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-8278 Filed 4-5-12; 8:45 am]
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