[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57656-57657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22731]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0004]


Proposed Information Collection (Application for Dependency and 
Indemnity Compensation; Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a 
Surviving Spouse or Child; Application for Dependency and Indemnity 
Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child-In-Service Death 
Application for DIC, Death Pension, and or, Accrued Benefits) 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 revision of 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to this notice. This notice solicits comments for information 
needed to determine entitlement to dependency and indemnity 
compensation (DIC), death pension and accrued benefits, and dependency 
and indemnity compensation by a surviving spouse or child-in-service 
death.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 24, 2014.

[[Page 57657]]


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 [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0004'' 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. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death 
Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (Including 
Death Compensation if Applicable), VA Form 21P-534.
    b. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a 
Surviving Spouse or Child--In-service Death Only, VA Form 21P-543a.
    c. Application for DIC, Death Pension, and or, Accrued Benefits, VA 
Form 21P-534EZ.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0004.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract:
    a. VA Form 21-534 is used to determine surviving spouse and/or 
children of veterans entitlement to dependency and indemnity 
compensation (DIC), death benefits, (including death compensation is 
applicable), and any accrued benefits not paid to the veteran prior to 
death.
    b. Military Casualty Assistance Officers complete VA Form 21-534a 
to assist surviving spouse and/or children of veterans who died on 
active duty in processing claims for dependency and indemnity 
compensation benefits. Accrued benefits and death compensation are not 
payable in claims for DIC.
    c. The VA Form 21P-534EZ is used for the Fully Developed Claims 
(FDC) program for pension claims.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden:
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 62,571.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 98,796.
    a. VA Form 21P-534--58,918 hours.
    b. VA Form 21P-534a--1,426 hours.
    c. VA Form 21P-534EZ--38,452 hours.

    Dated: September 19, 2014.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Crystal Rennie,
Department Clearance Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-22731 Filed 9-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P