Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Lay/Witness Statement
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration wants to know what people think about a form that helps them gather stories from friends and family to support a veteran's benefits, but they aren't changing anything about the form. People have 30 days to say what they think, and they can do this on a website called www.reginfo.gov.
Summary AI
The Veterans Benefits Administration under the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking public comments on a form called the Lay/Witness Statement (VA Form 21-10210). This form helps gather statements from individuals supporting claims for benefits or services. The proposal is to extend the use of this form without any changes. The public has 30 days to provide feedback, with the opportunity to comment online at www.reginfo.gov.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit 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 it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the Veterans Benefits Administration, under the Department of Veterans Affairs, announcing a proposal to extend the use of the Lay/Witness Statement Form (VA Form 21-10210). This form is crucial for gathering supportive statements from individuals, which assist in the processing of claims for benefits or services related to veterans. The extension of the form’s use comes without any substantive changes. Public comments on this proposal are invited, with a 30-day window provided for feedback via an online platform.
Summary
The purpose of this document is straightforward: to ensure continued efficiency in processing claims relating to veterans' benefits, by using the Lay/Witness Statement form. This is part of a regular review process stipulated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which aims to minimize the paperwork burden for both individuals and businesses.
Issues and Concerns
One significant concern is the document's lack of transparency regarding the costs associated with this information collection activity. While it provides an average burden per respondent, it does not specify the method for calculating the total annual burden, which could raise questions about its accuracy. Additionally, the technical jargon used in the document, such as "OMB control number" and references to specific U.S. Code sections, is not explained, which might confuse people not familiar with such terms.
Moreover, the contact information for further inquiries lacks details such as expected response times or office hours, which could lead to uncertainty for those seeking assistance. The notice also fails to specify the acceptable submission channels for the form, whether electronic or physical, potentially creating ambiguity for respondents.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, particularly those who are veterans or support veterans’ affairs, this document is a call to action for those who wish to comment on the continuation of the form's use. It underscores the importance of public participation in governmental processes, even though the document's technical language might be a barrier to some.
Effects on Stakeholders
Veterans and their families are the primary stakeholders affected by this notice. The form is integral to the claims process for veterans' benefits, so its efficient use will directly impact their ability to receive timely and fair evaluations of their claims. Delays or inefficiencies could potentially affect their financial or social stability.
On the administrative side, the Veterans Benefits Administration and other related departments are stakeholders with a vested interest in collecting feedback to streamline and improve their processes. Clarity in the submission process and feedback systems can significantly impact these departments' operational efficiency.
In summary, while the document aims to maintain and enhance the efficiency of claims processing through the continued use of the Lay/Witness Statement Form, the lack of detailed information on associated costs and submission processes might impede full public understanding and participation. More transparency and simplification in communication could facilitate better engagement from all parties involved.
Issues
• The document lacks specific details on the estimated costs associated with the information collection, such as administrative expenses or any compensation for respondents, which could help in assessing any potential wasteful spending.
• While the document provides an estimated average burden per respondent, it does not clarify the method for calculating the estimated annual burden, which could raise questions about the accuracy of the assessment.
• The document uses technical terms like 'OMB control number' and references specific sections of the U.S. Code without providing explanations, which might be unclear for individuals not familiar with such terminologies.
• The section on 'FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT' provides an email address and phone number for contact, but it does not offer information on the expected response time or office hours, which could lead to uncertainty for individuals seeking assistance.
• The notice does not specify the channels through which respondents will submit the VA Form 21-10210, which may lead to ambiguity about whether electronic submissions are accepted or if only physical copies are required.