[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 68905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27411]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Proposed Information Collection (Annual Certification of Veteran 
Status and Veteran-Relatives) 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 revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 
days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits 
comments on information needed to identify and properly protect VA 
benefit records.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 14, 2014.

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. 2900-0654'' 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 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: Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran-
Relatives, VA Form 20-0344.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0654.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VBA employees, non-VBA employees in VBA space and Veteran 
Service Organization employees who have access to VA's benefit records 
complete VA Form 20-0344. These individuals are required to provide 
personal identifying information on themselves and any veteran 
relatives, in order for VA to identify and protect benefit records. VA 
uses the information collected to determine which benefit records 
require special handling to guard against fraud, conflict of interest, 
improper influence etc., by VA and non-VA employees.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 5,834 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 25 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,000.

    Dated: November 12, 2013.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2013-27411 Filed 11-14-13; 8:45 am]
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