[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 86220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27210]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0659]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Statement in Support of 
Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) Due to an In-Service Traumatic 
Event(s)

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Benefits Administration, 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 revision of a 
currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in 
response to the notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before February 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20420 or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4cac5cac7dd8acfc1d7d7cdcac3c1d6e4d2c58ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="046a656a677d2a6f6177776d6a6361764472652a636b72">[email protected]</span></a>. Please refer to ``OMB Control 
No. 2900-0659'' in any correspondence. During the comment period, 
comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise 
and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, (202) 266-4688 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#412c20332823242d6f20312e2f35240137206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f69b97849f94939ad8978699988293b68097d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>. 
Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0659'' in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, 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, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA'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.
    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5103(a), 38 U.S.C. 5107(a), Pub. L. 117-271, 
Pub. L. 117-303, 38 CFR 3.304(f).
    Title: Statement in Support of Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) 
Due to an In-Service Traumatic Event(s) (VA Form 21-0781).
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0659.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 21-0781 is primarily used to gather certain 
information about in-service stressors, so VA may assist claimants in 
establishing the occurrence of the claimed stressor(s). To establish a 
grant of service-connected compensation, there must be evidence to 
support the in-service stressor(s) reported by the veteran. This form 
is voluntary, however, without this information, VA cannot thoroughly 
assist certain claimants with the research of military records and 
other sources of information for supporting evidence about the in-
service stressor(s). The form requests information that is necessary to 
conduct meaningful research of evidence to help substantiate the claim.
    This revision combines the two previously approved forms under this 
collection number into one form: resulting in the discontinuance of the 
previously approved VA Form 21-0781a, a new title, and a total 
reduction overall of burden on the claimant.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 87,436.
    Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 45 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 116,581.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Maribel Aponte,
VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data 
Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2023-27210 Filed 12-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P


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