2012-29993. Agency Information Collection (Application for Benefits for Certain Children With Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans): 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 January 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through 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. 2900-0572” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Crystal Rennie, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420, [phone] FAX [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0572.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Application for Benefits for Certain Children with Disabilities Born of Vietnam and Certain Korea Service Veterans, VA Form 21-0304.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0572.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 21-0304 is used to gather the necessary information to determine a claimant's eligibility for a monetary allowance and appropriate level of payment. Under Title 38 U.S.C 1815, Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Born with Certain Birth Defects, authorizes payment of monetary benefits to, or on behalf of, certain children of female veterans who served in Republic of Vietnam. To be eligible, the child must be the biological child; conceived after the date the veteran first served in Vietnam during the period February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975; and have certain birth defects resulting in permanent physical or mental disability.

Under title 38 U.S.C. 1805, Spina Bifida Benefits Eligibility, authorizes payment to a spina bifida child-claimant of parent(s) who performed active military, naval, or air service during the Vietnam era during the period January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975 or after the date the veteran first served in or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during the period September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971. The child must be the natural child of a Vietnam veteran, regardless of age or marital status, who was conceived after the date on which the veteran first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era. Spina Bifida benefits are payable for all types of spina bifida except spina bifida occulta. The law does not allow payment of both benefits at the same time. If entitlement exists under both laws, benefits will be paid under 38 U.S.C. 1815.

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 October 4, 2012, at pages 60745-60746.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 72 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 430.

Dated: December 7, 2012.

By direction of the Secretary.

Robert C. McFetridge,

Director, Office of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.