2020-24647. Agency Information Collection Activity: Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

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 reinstatement, 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 5, 2021.

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 [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0659” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy J. Kessinger at [phone].

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: 38 U.S.C. 5103(a), 38 U.S.C. 5107(a).

Title: Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (VA Form 21-0781) and Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault (VA Form 21-0781a).

OMB Control Number: 2900-0659.

Type of Review: Reinstatement of a collection.

Abstract: VA Forms 21-0781 and 21-0781a are used to gather information about stressful incidents in service from veterans claiming compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The forms request the information that is necessary for VA to conduct meaningful research of records in order to assist claimants in obtaining credible supporting evidence that the incidents occurred. Without this collection of information, VA would not be able to fulfill its statutory duty to assist for claimants and would be unable to properly authorize benefits.

No changes have been made to these forms. The increase in respondent burden is due to the estimated number of receivables from the previous year.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 23,770 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 70 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,374.

By direction of the Secretary.

Danny S. Green,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Quality, Performance and Risk, Department of Veterans Affairs.