E7-17095. Agency Information Collection: Emergency Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 United States 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 (44 U.S.C. 3507(j)(1)). The reason for the emergency clearance is to determine a service member's eligibility for participation in a joint DOD/VA Disability Evaluation Board and VA compensation after separation from service. OMB has been requested to act on this emergency clearance request by September 21, 2007.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before September 12, 2007.

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-New (21-0819)” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Records Management 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-New (21-0819).”

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: VA/DOD Joint Disability Evaluation Board Claim, VA Form 21-0819.

OMB Control Number: 2900-New (21-0819).

Type of Review: New collection.

Abstract: As a result of President Bush's Interagency Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes, VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) have agreed to develop a joint process in which Global War on Terror (GWOT) service members are evaluated to assign disability ratings, which will be used to determine military retention, level of disability for retirement, and VA disability compensation. VA Form 21-0819 will be used to gather the necessary information to determine the service member's eligibility for participation in a joint DOD/VA Disability Evaluation Board and VA compensation after separation from service.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 7,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 14,000.

Dated: August 20, 2007.

By direction of the Secretary.

Denise McLamb,

Program Analyst, Records Management Service.