[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73073-73074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25809]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0018]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Application for 
Accreditation as Service Organization Representative

AGENCY: Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of General Counsel (OGC), 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 extension 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 27, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Jonathan Taylor, Office of the General Counsel (022D), Department 
of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or 
email to [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0018'' 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. 2900-0018'' in any correspondence.

[[Page 73074]]


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, OGC 
invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of OGC's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OGC'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: 38 U.S.C. 5901, 5902, 5904; 38 CFR 14.629, 14.633.
    Title: Application for Accreditation as Service Organization 
Representative.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Service organizations are required to file an application 
with VA to establish eligibility for accreditation for representatives 
of that organization to represent benefit claimants before VA. VA Form 
21 is completed by service organizations to establish accreditation for 
representatives and recertify the qualifications of accredited 
representatives.
    Organizations requesting cancellation of a representative's 
accreditation based on misconduct, incompetence, or resignation to 
avoid cancellation of accreditation based upon misconduct or 
incompetence are required to inform VA of the specific reason for the 
cancellation request. VA will use the information collected to 
determine whether service organizations' representatives continue to 
meet regulatory eligibility requirements to ensure claimants have 
qualified representatives to assist in the preparation, presentation, 
and prosecution of their claims for benefits.
    Affected Public: Individuals, not-for-profit institutions, and 
State, local, or Tribal governments.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,010 hours (750 hours for new applicants, 
250 hours for recertifications, and 10 hours for accreditation 
cancellation information responses).
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 13 minutes (15 minutes for 
new applicants, 10 minutes for recertifications, and 60 minutes for 
accreditation cancellation information responses).
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,510 (3,000 new applicants, 1,500 
recertifications, and 10 accreditation cancellation information 
responses).

    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. 2022-25809 Filed 11-25-22; 8:45 am]
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