[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81287-81288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27467]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0862]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Decision Review Request: 
Higher-Level Review

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 81288]]

SUMMARY: 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 a 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before February 16, 2021.

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 to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0862'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger, (202) 632-8924.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, 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.
    Authority: Public Law 115-55; 38 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
    Title: Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-
0996).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0862.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level 
Review is used by a claimant to formally request a Higher-Level Review 
of an initial VA decision, in accordance with the Appeals Modernization 
Act. The information collected is used by VA to identify the issues in 
dispute which the claimant seeks review of in the Higher-Level Review 
Lane. Additionally, the information collected is used to schedule a 
telephonic informal conference, when requested.
    This is revision to the form. Changes include significant revisions 
to the instructions section to make them easier to understand. New 
sections were added to the form to provide clarify and easier 
completion: Claimant's Identification Information, Benefit Type, SOC/
SSOC Opt-In from Legacy Appeals System, and Authorized Representative 
Signature. The section on requesting informal conferences was edited to 
make it easier to understand and complete. Examples were added to the 
Issues for Higher-Level Review section. Formatting changes were made to 
simplify the form. Optical character recognition boxes were added to 
assist scanning technology.
    There is a decrease in the respondent burden because the associated 
control number originally included two forms but we are using this 
revision to separate the two forms into two control numbers and only VA 
Form 20-0996 will remain under the current control number.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 23,375 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 85,500.

    By direction of the Secretary:
Danny S. Green,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance and Risk, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-27467 Filed 12-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P