Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-21), this notice announces that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs, has submitted the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and includes the actual data collection instrument.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before June 4, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION CONTACT:

Denise McLamb, Records Management Service (005E3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-8030, FAX (202) 273-5981 or e-mail to: denise.mclamb@mail.va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0600.”

Send comments and recommendations concerning any aspect of the information collection to VA's OMB Desk Officer, OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0600” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 with 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.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on February 9, 2004, at page 6017.

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.