2011-25587. Agency Information Collection (Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child): Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden; it includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before November 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through http://www.Regulations.gov or to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 [phone]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0004” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone], FAX [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0004.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Titles:

a. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (Including Death Compensation if Applicable), VA Form 21-534.

b. Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by a Surviving Spouse or Child—In-service Death Only, VA Form 21-543a.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0004.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract:

a. VA Form 21-534 is used to determine surviving spouse and/or children of veterans entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), death benefits,(including death compensation is applicable), and any accrued benefits not paid to the veteran prior to death.

b. Military Casualty Assistance Officers complete VA Form 21-534a to assist surviving spouse and/or children of veterans who died on active duty in processing claims for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits. Accrued benefits and death compensation are not payable in claims for DIC.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on July 25, 2011, at pages 44402-44403.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. VA Form 21-534—76,136 hours.

b. VA Form 21-534a—600 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:

a. VA Form 21-534—75 minutes.

b. VA Form 21-534a—15 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

a. VA Form 21-534—37,700.

b. VA Form 21-534a—23,209.

Dated: September 29, 2011.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.