[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 24269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9670]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0018]


Proposed Information Collection (Application for Accreditation as 
Service Organization Representative) Activity: Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of General Counsel (OGC), 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 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information 
needed to determine accredited service organization representatives' 
qualification to represent claimants before VA.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through www.Regulations.gov or to Ken Lee, Office of General Counsel 
(02), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20420 or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9d2dcd797d5dcdcf9cfd897ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="48232d2666242d2d083e29662f273e">[email protected]</span></a>. Please refer to ``OMB 
Control No. 2900-0018'' in any correspondence. During the comment 
period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket 
Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Lee at (202) 461-7651 or FAX (202) 
273-6404.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 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, OGC 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of OGC's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of OGC'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: Application for Accreditation as Service Organization 
Representative, VA Form 21; Accreditation Cancellation Information.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0018.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Service organizations are required to file an application 
with VA to establish eligibility for accreditation for representatives 
of that organization to represent benefit claimants before VA. VA Form 
21 is completed by service organizations to establish accreditation for 
representatives, recertify the qualifications of accredited 
representatives.
    Organizations requesting cancellation of a representative's 
accreditation based on misconduct or incompetence or resignation to 
avoid cancellation of accreditation based upon misconduct or 
incompetence, are required to inform VA of the specific reason for the 
cancellation request. VA will use the information collected to 
determine whether service organizations representatives continue to 
meet regulatory eligibility requirements to ensure claimants have 
qualified representatives to assist in the preparation, presentation 
and prosecution of their claims for benefits.
    Affected Public: Not-for profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1,003 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 15 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,780.

    Dated: April 18, 2012.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Denise McLamb,
Program Analyst, Enterprise Records Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9670 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P


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