[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 42554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17504]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0740]


Proposed Information Collection (Authorization To Substitute a 
Claim of a Deceased Claimant) 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 a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the 
information needed to allow claimants to request substitution for a 
claimant, who passed away, prior to VA processing a claim to 
completion.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before September 17, 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 (20M35), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0740'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 
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.
    Title: Authorization to Substitute a Claim of a Deceased Claimant, 
VA Form 21-0847.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0740.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 21-0847 will be used to allow claimants to 
request substitutions for a claimant, who passed away, prior to VA 
processing a claim to completion. This is only allowed when a claimant 
dies while a claim or appeal for any benefit under a law administered 
by the VA is pending. The substitute claimant would be eligible to 
receive accrued benefits due to a deceased claimant under Section 
5121(a). The substitute claim must be filed no later than one year 
after the date of the death of the claimant. By law, VA must have a 
claimant's or beneficiary's written permission (an ``authorization'') 
to be a substitute claimant. The claimant or beneficiary may revoke the 
authorization at any time, except if VA has already acted based on the 
permission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,667.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,000.

    Dated: July 13, 2012.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17504 Filed 7-18-12; 8:45 am]
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