[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2941-2942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00720]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0659]


Proposed Information Collection (Statement in Support of Claim 
for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and 
Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic 
Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault) 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 
without change of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for 
public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments 
for information needed to obtain evidence to substantiate claims for 
service connection post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before March 17, 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 to

[[Page 2942]]

[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0659'' 
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) 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.
    Titles: a. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for 
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), VA Form 21-0781.
    b. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault, VA Form 
21-0781a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0659.
    Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: Veterans seeking compensation for post-traumatic stress 
disorder and need VA's assistance in obtaining evidence from military 
records and other sources to substantiate their claims of in-service 
stressors must complete VA Forms 21-0781 and 21-0791a. Veterans who did 
not serve in combat or were not a prisoner of war and are claiming 
compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder due to in-service 
stressors, he or she must provide credible supporting evidence that the 
claimed in-service stressor occurred.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    a. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), VA Form 21-0781--16,800 hours.
    b. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault, VA Form 
21-0781a--980 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:
    a. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), VA Form 21-0781--70 minutes.
    b. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault, VA Form 
21-0781a--70 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    a. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), VA Form 21-0781--14,400.
    b. Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault, VA Form 
21-0781a--840.

    Dated: January 13, 2014.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
VA Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-00720 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am]
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