[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 116 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36305-36306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14230]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900--NEW]


Proposed Information Collection (Non-Degenerative Arthritis 
(Including Inflammatory, Autoimmune, Crystalline and Infectious 
Arthritis) and Dysbaric Osteonecrosis Disability Benefits 
Questionnaire) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) 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 new collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information 
needed to adjudicate the claim for VA disability benefits related to a 
claimant's diagnosis of a non-degenerative arthritis or osteonecrosis 
condition.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before August 16, 2013.

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 [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900--NEW (Non-Degenerative Arthritis (including inflammatory, 
autoimmune, crystalline and infectious arthritis) and Dysbaric

[[Page 36306]]

Osteonecrosis Disability Benefits Questionnaire)'' in any 
correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed 
online through the FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 632-8924 
or Fax (202) 632-8925.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Non-Degenerative Arthritis (including inflammatory, 
autoimmune, crystalline and infectious arthritis) and Dysbaric 
Osteonecrosis Disability Benefits Questionnaire, VA Form 21-0960M-3.
    OMB Control Number: 2900--NEW (Non-Degenerative Arthritis 
(including inflammatory, autoimmune, crystalline and infectious 
arthritis) and Dysbaric Osteonecrosis Disability Benefits 
Questionnaire).
    Type of Review: New data collection.
    Abstract: The VA Form 21-0960M-3, Non-Degenerative Arthritis 
(including inflammatory, autoimmune, crystalline and infectious 
arthritis) and Dysbaric Osteonecrosis Disability Benefits 
Questionnaire, will be used for disability compensation or pension 
claims which require an examination and/or receiving private medical 
evidence that may potentially be sufficient for rating purposes. The 
form will be used to gather necessary information from a claimant's 
treating physician regarding the results of medical examinations and 
related to the claimant's diagnosis of a non-degenerative arthritis or 
osteonecrosis condition. VA will gather medical information related to 
the claimant that is necessary to adjudicate the claim for VA 
disability benefits.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 25,000.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.

    Dated: June 11, 2013.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
VA Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-14230 Filed 6-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P