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###### Department of Veterans Affairs

          - [OMB Control No. 2900-0862]

# AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# 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                         *nancy.kessinger@va.gov*. Please refer to ”OMB Control No. 2900-0862” 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                         *maribel.aponte@va.gov*. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0862” 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:*Public Law 115-55; 38 U.S.C. 3501-3521.                

*Title:*                     Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996).                

*OMB Control Number:*                     2900-0862.                

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

*Abstract:*                     VA Form 20-0996,                     *Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review*                     is used by a claimant to formally request a Higher-Level Review of an initial VA decision, in accordance with the Appeals Modernization Act. The information collected is used by VA to identify the issues which the claimant wishes to dispute in their request for a Higher-Level Review. Additionally, the information collected is used to schedule a telephonic informal conference, when requested.                

This is being submitted as a revision due to an increase in the burden hours based on an increase in the number of respondents using this form. There were minor changes made to the instructions to make the instructions easier to understand and the requirement to sign in ink was removed. Minor changes were also made to the Optional Informal Conference and Issues for Higher-Level Review sections to make these sections easier for claimants to understand and complete.

*Affected Public:*                     Individuals and households.                

*Estimated Annual Burden:*                     49,650 hours.                

*Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:*                     15 minutes.                

*Frequency of Response:*                     One time.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     198,600.                

By direction of the Secretary.

Dorothy Glasgow,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, (Alt.) Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.

[FR Doc. 2023-27360 Filed 12-12-23; 8:45 am]

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