E8-25288. Proposed Information Collection (Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)) Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The 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 extension of a current collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine servicemembers' eligibility requirements for payment of traumatic injury protection benefits covered under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before December 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through www.Regulations.gov; or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0671” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy J. Kessinger at [phone] or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501—3521), 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.

Title: Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0671.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Servicemembers who experienced a traumatic injury such as loss of limbs on or after October 7, 2001 through November 30, 2005 are eligible to receive Traumatic Injury Protection benefits if the loss was incurred during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. TSGLI provides severely injured servicemembers and the member's family with monetary assistance through an often long and difficult rehabilitation period. The servicemembers must be insured under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance to be eligible for TSGLI. The servicemember, the attending physician, and the branch of service must complete Prudential Form GL.2005.261, Certification of Traumatic Injury Protection in order for the servicemember to receive such benefits. VA uses the data collected to determine the member's eligibility for TSGLI benefits.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 475 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 950.

Dated: October 14, 2008.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.