[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63875-63876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26655]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0427]


Agency Information Collection (Former Prisoner of War Medical 
History) Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

[[Page 63876]]


ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the 
collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and 
burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before November 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through www.Regulations.gov, or to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: VA Desk Officer; 725 
17th St. NW., Washington, DC 20503 or sent through electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0427 (Former Prisoner of War Medical History)'' in any correspondence. 
During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the 
FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Crystal Rennie, Enterprise Records 
Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 632-7492 or email 
[email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0427 
(Former Prisoner of War Medical History)'' in any correspondence.

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, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA'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:
    Titles: Former Prisoner of War Medical History.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0427.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Abstract: VA Form 10-0048, Former POW Medical History, is used to 
collect data in response to Public Law 97-37, the ``Former Prisoner of 
War Benefits Act of 1981,'' that liberalizes eligibility requirements 
and extends the existing benefits. Additionally, the National Advisory 
Committee on Former Prisoners Of War requires this information for 
their annual submission to Congress.
    VA physician will obtain the information on the VA Form 10-0048 
during a medical examination. If these questions were not asked, the 
physician would be unable to assess the health care, disability 
compensation or rehabilitation needs of the Former Prisoner Of War 
(FPOW). The importance of collecting this very detailed information 
when the veteran is first seen is critical, not only with the physician 
evaluating the veteran but also by the rating specialist who will rate 
this claim. The rater also reviews the statements given by the veteran 
on this form not only at the first claim submission but in future years 
when other disabilities are claimed. Feedback from POW physicians in 
the field indicates their appreciation of the well thought out content 
and structure of the form. It is useful not only for Compensation and 
Pension examinations but also as a guide and reference for treatment 
planning for the FPOW patient. The questions in the form make it 
relevant for FPOWS of current as well as prior conflicts.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 113 burden hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 90 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Kathleen M. Manwell,
Program Analyst, VA Privacy Service, Office of Privacy and Records 
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-26655 Filed 10-20-15; 8:45 am]
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