98-21252. Agency Information Collection: Emergency Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 153 (Monday, August 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 42664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21252]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Agency Information Collection: Emergency Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA), has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) the following emergency proposal for the collection of 
information under the Provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA, 
44 U.S.C. 3507(j)(1)). This collection of information is needed prior 
to the expiration of the time periods contained in 5 CFR 1320. This 
emergency clearance request is essential to satisfying the requirements 
of Public Law 103-446 and the VA's mission of caring for veterans and 
their families. If the Veterans Health Administration uses normal 
clearance procedures, the collection of information would be disrupted. 
Public harm may result if formal clearance procedures are followed 
since many Gulf War veterans and their families are awaiting the 
results of the survey to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of 
symptoms. VA had expected the research survey to be exempt from the 
definition of information pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(5); a different 
standard was applied to this research survey resulting in an 
unanticipated situation. OMB has been requested to act on this 
emergency clearance request by August 21, 1998.
    Title: National Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and their 
Families: Phase III Physical Examinations.
    OMB Control Number: None assigned.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Abstract: In November of 1994 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was 
directed by the ``Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act,'' Title I of 
the ``Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994,'' Public Law 103-
446, to conduct a health survey of Persian Gulf veterans and their 
spouses and children. In response to the legislative mandate, the 
Veterans Health Administration initiated a survey entitled ``National 
Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and their Families.'' The 
present survey protocol represents Phase III of the study, clinical 
examinations of a sample of 1,000 Gulf War Veterans and their spouses 
and children and 1,000 Gulf War era nondeployed veterans and their 
spouses and children. The Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee 
approved this study in September of 1997. Physicians within and outside 
the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital system will use the 
information collected during Phase III to aid in diagnosing and 
treating Gulf War veterans. Researcher will also use the information to 
further identify any possible illnesses associated with the myriad of 
symptoms presented by Gulf War veterans.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 54,920 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 10 hours.
    Frequency of Response: The forms will be completed by the clinical 
staff once during at two-day battery of examinations; there will be no 
follow-up visits.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,492 study participants. (A total 
2,000 veterans, 1,520 spouses, and 1,972 children will be examined 
during Phase III.)

ADDRESSES: A copy of this submission may be obtained from Ron Taylor, 
Information Management Service (045A4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 
8l0 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, [phone].
    Comments and recommendations concerning this submission should be 
directed to VA's OMB Desk Officer, Allison Eydt, OMB Human Resources 
and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503 [phone].

DATES: Written comments on the collection of information should be 
directed and received by the VA's OMB Desk Office on or before August 
24, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Taylor, VA Clearance Officer 
(045A4), [phone].

    Dated: July 29, 1998.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21252 Filed 8-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P