[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2460-2461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-924]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900-0598]
Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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 reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved
collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the
information needed to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating Gulf
War veterans.
DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection
of information should be received on or before March 14, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193B1), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please
refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0598'' in any correspondence.
[[Page 2461]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44
U.S.C., 3501-3520), 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, VHA
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy
of VHA'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.
Title: National Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and their
Families: Phase III Physical Examinations.
OMB Control Number: 2900-0598.
Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously
approved collection for which approval has expired.
Abstract: In November of 1994 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was
directed by the ``Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act,'' Title I of
the ``Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994,'' Public Law 103-
446, to conduct a health survey of Persian Gulf veterans and their
spouses and children. In response to the legislative mandate, the VHA
initiated a survey entitled ``National Health Survey of Gulf War Era
Veterans and their Families.'' The present survey protocol represents
Phase III of the study, clinical examinations of a sample of 1,000 Gulf
War veterans and their spouses and children and 1,000 Gulf War era
nondeployed veterans and their spouses and children. The Cooperative
Studies Evaluation Committee approved this study in September of 1997.
Physicians within and outside the Department of Veterans Affairs
hospital system will use the information collected during Phase III to
aid in diagnosing and treating Gulf War veterans. Researchers will also
use the information to further identify any possible illnesses
associated with the myriad of symptoms presented by Gulf War veterans.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Estimated Annual Burden: 140,046 hours.
Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 25 hours, 30 minutes.
Frequency of Response: The forms will be completed by the clinical
staff once during at two-day battery of examinations; there will be no
follow-up visits.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,492 study participants. (A total
2,000 veterans, 1,520 spouses, and 1,972 children will be examined
during Phase III.)
Dated: December 23, 1999.
By direction of the Secretary:
Sandra McIntyre,
Program Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 00-924 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
