Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 26 / Monday, February 9, 2004 / Notices 6017

respond to, a collection of information 

unless the collection of information 

displays a valid OMB control number. 

Books or records relating to a 

collection of information must be 

retained as long as their contents may 

become material in the administration 

of any internal revenue law. Generally, 

tax returns and tax return information 

are confidential, as required by 26 

U.S.C. 6103. 

Request for Comments: Comments 

submitted in response to this notice will 

be summarized and/or included in the 

request for OMB approval. All 

comments will become a matter of 

public record. Comments are invited on: 

(a) Whether the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether the 

information shall have practical utility; 

(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 

of the burden of the collection of 

information; (c) ways to enhance the 

quality, utility, and clarity of the 

information to be collected; (d) ways to 

minimize the burden of the collection of 

information on respondents, including 

through the use of automated collection 

techniques or other forms of information 

technology; and (e) estimates of capital 

or start-up costs and costs of operation, 

maintenance, and purchase of services 

to provide information.

Approved: February 3, 2004. 

Glenn P. Kirkland, 

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 04–2725 Filed 2–6–04; 8:45 am] 

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS 

[OMB Control No. 2900–0600] 

Proposed Information Collection 

Activity: Proposed Collection; 

Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health 

Administration, Department of Veterans 

Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Veterans Health 

Administration (VHA) 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 

extension of a currently approved, and 

allow 60 days for public comment in 

response to the notice. This notice 

solicits comments on the information 

needed to request an informal review of 

veterans’ denied healthcare benefits 

claims.

DATES: Written comments and 

recommendations on the proposed 

collection of information should be 

received on or before April 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments 

on the collection of information to Ann 

Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration 

(193B1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 

810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20420 or e-mail 

ann.bickoff@mail.va.gov. Please refer to 

‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0600’’ in any 

correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann 

Bickoff at (202) 273–8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 

PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104–13; 44 

U.S.C. 3501–3521), 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, VHA invites 

comments on: (1) Whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of VHA’s 

functions, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) the accuracy of VHA’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. 

Title: Regulation for Reconsideration 

of Denied Claims. 

OMB Control Number: 2900–0600. 

Type of Review: Extension of a 

currently approved collection. 

Abstract: The purpose of this data 

collection is to provide a vehicle to 

request an informal review of veterans 

whose healthcare benefit claims were 

denied. Veterans who disagree with the 

initial decision denying their claim in 

whole or in part may obtain 

reconsideration by submitting a request 

in writing within one year of the date of 

the initial decision. The request must 

state why the decision is in error and 

include any new and relevant 

information not previously considered. 

This process reduces both formal 

appeals and allows decision making to 

be more responsive to veterans using the 

VA healthcare system. 

Affected Public: Individuals or 

households. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden:

50,826 hours. 

Estimated Average Burden Per 

Respondent: 30 minutes. 

Frequency of Response: On occasion. 

Estimated Number of Respondents:

101,652.

Dated: January 26, 2004.

By direction of the Secretary: 

Jacqueline Parks, 

IT Specialist, Records Management Service.

[FR Doc. 04–2685 Filed 2–6–04; 8:45 am] 

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