[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 32 (Friday, February 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11102-11103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03220]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory 
Committee on Disability Compensation

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits 
Administration (VBA), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to 
be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on 
Disability Compensation (``the Committee''). In accordance with 38 
U.S.C. 546, the Committee advises the Secretary on the maintenance and 
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. In 
providing advice to the Secretary, the Committee assembles and reviews 
relevant information relating to the needs of Veterans with 
disabilities; provides information relating to the nature and character 
of the disabilities arising from service in the Armed Forces; provides 
an ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of VA's Schedule for Rating 
Disabilities; and provides ongoing advice on the most appropriate means 
of responding to the needs of Veterans relating to disability 
compensation in the future. In carrying out its duties, the Committee 
takes into special account the needs of Veterans who have served in a 
theater of combat operations. Nominations of qualified candidates are 
being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee.

    Authority:  The Committee is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 546 and 
operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no 
later than 5:00 p.m. EST on March 31, 2017. Packages received after 
this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle. All 
nomination packages should be sent to the Advisory Committee Management 
Office by email (recommended) or mail. Please see contact information 
below.

Advisory Committee Management Office (00AC), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee was established pursuant to 38 
U.S.C. 546. The Committee responsibilities include:
    (1) Advising the Secretary and Congress on the maintenance and 
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
    (2) Providing a biennial report to congress assessing the needs of 
Veterans with respect to disability compensation and outlining 
recommendations, concerns and observations on the maintenance and 
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
    (3) Meeting with VA officials, Veteran Service Organizations, and 
other stakeholders to assess the Department's efforts on the 
maintenance and periodic

[[Page 11103]]

readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
    Management and support services for the Committee are provided by 
the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
    Membership Criteria:
    VBA is requesting nominations for upcoming vacancies on the 
Committee. The Committee is currently composed of 11 members. As 
required by statute, the members of the Committee are appointed by the 
Secretary from the general public, including:
    (1) Individuals with experience with the provision of disability 
compensation by VA; and
    (2) Individuals who are leading medical and scientific experts in 
relevant fields.
    In accordance with Sec.  546, the Secretary determines the number, 
terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee 
appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of any such 
member may not exceed four years. The Secretary may reappoint any 
member for additional terms of service.
    Professional Qualifications: In addition to the criteria above, VA 
seeks--
    (1) Diversity in professional and personal qualifications;
    (2) Experience in military service and military deployments (please 
identify branch of service and rank);
    (3) Current work with Veterans;
    (4) Committee subject matter expertise;
    (5) Experience working in large and complex organizations;
    Requirements for Nomination Submission:
    Nominations should be type written (one nomination per nominator). 
Nomination package should include: (1) A letter of nomination that 
clearly states the name and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for 
the nomination (i.e. specific attributes which qualify the nominee for 
service in this capacity), and a statement from the nominee indicating 
a willingness to serve as a member of the Committee; (2) the nominee's 
contact information, including name, mailing address, telephone 
numbers, and email address; (3) the nominee's curriculum vitae, and (4) 
a summary of the nominee's experience and qualifications relative to 
the membership criteria and professional qualifications criteria listed 
above.
    Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee shall be 
invited to serve a two-year term. Committee members will receive a 
stipend for attending Committee meetings, including per diem and 
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
its Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points 
of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made 
to ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, males & 
females, racial and ethnic minority groups, and the disabled are given 
consideration for membership. Appointment to this Committee shall be 
made without discrimination because of a person's race, color, 
religion, sex (including gender identity, transgender status, sexual 
orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or 
genetic information. Nominations must state that the nominee is willing 
to serve as a member of the Committee and appears to have no conflict 
of interest that would preclude membership. An ethics review is 
conducted for each selected nominee.

    Dated: February 14, 2017.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-03220 Filed 2-16-17; 8:45 am]
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