[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 20300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06022]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0654]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Annual Certification of 
Veteran Status and Veteran-Relatives

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 May 20, 2024.

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. 2900-0654'' 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. 2900-0654'' 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: 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(10).
    Title: Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran-Relatives 
(VA Form 20-0344).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0654.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 20-0344 is necessary to ensure that benefit 
records of employees and employees' relatives are properly maintained 
in accordance with VA policy. Without the information provided on this 
form, VA would be unable to determine which benefit records require 
special handling to guard against fraud, conflict of interest, improper 
influence etc. by VA and non-VA employees. No changes have been made to 
this form. The respondent burden has decreased due to the estimated 
number of receivables averaged over the past year.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 5,640 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 25 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,534 per year.

    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. 2024-06022 Filed 3-20-24; 8:45 am]
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