Search Results for agency_names:"Veterans Affairs Department"

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating their system of records, known as "The Revenue Program-Billing and Collections Records-VA" (114VA10D), to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974. These updates include changes to system numbers, locations, purposes, and categories of individuals covered. The VA is also revising rules on how records are stored and used, including the introduction of electronic storage in secure facilities like Amazon Web Services and Cerner Technology Centers, while maintaining safety measures. The VA invites public comments on these changes by February 24, 2021, after which the system will go into effect.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans on February 5 and 6, 2025. The purpose of the committee is to provide advice on benefits and services to help veterans transition back to civilian life. The first day will feature both public and closed sessions, including a site visit and discussions that involve sensitive information. The second day will be fully open to the public, focusing on presentations and discussions about the committee's upcoming annual report. Public comments are welcome, and contact information for further inquiries is provided.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated its regulations to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties under its jurisdiction. This action is aligned with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and is mandatory for ensuring penalties keep their deterrent power. For 2025, the penalties for false certifications related to VA-guaranteed loans have been increased from $27,894 to $28,619, and penalties for false claims to VA have risen from $13,946 to $14,308. The changes take effect on January 10, 2025, and were made without public comments due to the statutory requirements.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection is related to the VA Loan Guaranty program, which helps veterans purchase, construct, and refinance homes. The VBA is asking for feedback on whether this data collection is necessary, its potential impact, and how to reduce respondent burden. Comments should be submitted by April 27, 2021, and the collection affects individuals involved in loan servicing, with an estimated annual burden of 63 hours.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking for qualified people to join the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee (VRHAC). This committee, which advises on improving VA healthcare services for veterans in rural areas, is composed of 12 members and accepts people from various backgrounds, including veterans' organizations and other distinguished fields. Nominations should be submitted by February 19, 2021, and must include a letter of nomination, the nominee’s contact information and resume, and confirmation that the nominee is not a federally-registered lobbyist. Members serve a three-year term and may receive travel expenses for committee duties.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking public comment on a proposed information collection related to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). This initiative honors Veterans by providing them with online memorial pages. The NCA is asking for feedback on the utility and efficiency of the information collected, including how to ease the process for respondents. Comments can be submitted via www.regulations.gov until February 25, 2025. The estimated annual burden for respondents is 22,500 hours, with each response taking about 18 minutes on average.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued an interim final rule to grant presumptive service connection for certain cancers, including acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myelofibrosis, for veterans exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in specific locations during their service. This rule applies to veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, Somalia, or certain countries affected by the Gulf War after specified dates. This decision is based on scientific evidence suggesting a connection between PM2.5 exposure and these diseases, which often have severe outcomes. The rule aims to allow veterans to receive related benefits more quickly, given the typically high morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.

The Veterans Benefits Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection regarding specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grants for veterans. This is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The public has 60 days to provide feedback, and comments can be submitted online or mailed to the specified addresses. The VA aims to gather information through VA Form 26-4555 to assess eligibility for these grants, with an estimated total annual burden of 500 hours for 2,000 respondents.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is seeking public feedback on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. This involves the Certification of School Attendance—REPS (VA Form 21P-8926). The form ensures that beneficiaries of the Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS), specifically school-aged children of deceased veterans, are enrolled full-time in approved schools to maintain their benefits. The VA Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will consider comments submitted by April 19, 2021, to improve this process and minimize the burden on respondents.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations for members to join the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation for the 2025-2026 cycle. The committee evaluates the effectiveness of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities and advises on disability compensation issues. Candidates can be from the general public, including those with experience in disability compensation or medical and scientific experts. Nominations must be submitted by February 3, 2025, and include a cover letter and resume detailing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving.