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###### Department of Veterans Affairs

          - [OMB Control No. 2900-0042] 

# AGENCY:

Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs. 

# ACTION:

Notice. 

# SUMMARY:

                        The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 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 previously approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed for veteran's service organization to present argument before the Board on behalf of appellants who the service organizations represent.                     

# DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before July 3, 2000. 

# ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information to Sue Hamlin, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0042” in any correspondence. 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sue Hamlin at (202) 565-5686 or FAX (202) 565-4064. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C., 3501-3520), 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, BVA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of BVA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of BVA'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:*                     Statement of Accredited Representative in Appealed Case, VA Form 646.                 

*OMB Control Number:*                     2900-0042.                 

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                 

*Abstract:*                     The form is used by accredited veterans' service organization representatives to present their argument to the Board on behalf of appellants of whom the service organizations represent. It facilitates appellants' exercise of their representation rights. The legal and factual arguments presented on the form are considered and addressed by the Board in making decisions on appeals. The form is also designed to solicit enough identifying data to enable VA to identify the particular case to which the statement pertains so that it may be properly considered and filed when received by VA. It aids the Board in assuring that rights to representation have been honored by establishing that the record has been made available to the representative for review and presentation of argument.                 

*Affected Public:*                     Not-for-profit institutions.                 

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     32,895 hours.                 

*Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent:*                     60 minutes.                 

*Frequency of Response:*                     On occasion.                 

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     32,895.                 

Dated: April 7, 2000. 

By direction of the Secretary.

Donald L. Neilson,

Director, Information Management Service. 

[FR Doc. 00-11083 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8320-01-P