2016-18098. Agency Information Collection (Statement of Disappearance, VA Form 21P-1775) 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 August 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through www.Regulations.gov,, or to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: VA Desk Officer; 725 17th St. NW., Washington, DC 20503 or sent through electronic mail to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0036” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0036.”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Statement of Disappearance, VA Form 21P-1775.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0036.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers an integrated program of benefits and services, established by law, for veterans, service personnel and their survivors. 38 U.S.C. 108 requires a formal “presumption of death” when a veteran has been missing for seven years. Entitlement to death benefits cannot be determined in these cases until VA has made a decision of presumption of death.

VA Form 21P-1775 is used to gather the necessary information to determine if a decision of presumptive death can be made for benefit payment purposes. It would be impossible to administer the survivor benefits program without this collection of information.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 28 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.

By direction of the Secretary.

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,

Program Specialist, Office of Privacy and Records Management, Department of Veterans Affairs.