[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 67538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24321]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0849]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Alternate Signer 
Certification

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 January 9, 2023.

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. 2900-0849'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email [email protected]. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0849'' in any correspondence.

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 112-154, section 502, 38 U.S.C. 5101.
    Title: Alternate Signer Certification (VA Form 21-0972).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0849.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 21-0972 is used to collect the alternate signer 
information necessary for VA to accept benefit application forms signed 
by individuals on behalf of Veterans and claimants. The information 
collected is used to contact the alternate signer for verification 
purposes. Without this information, VA would be unable to verify 
information related to the alternate signer who has been appointed to 
represent the claimant in the prosecution of VA claims, the extent of 
such representation, and access to appropriate records.
    No changes have been made to this form. The respondent burden has 
increased due to the estimated number of receivables averaged over the 
past year.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 4,644 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,575.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-24321 Filed 11-7-22; 8:45 am]
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