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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing a meeting for the Health Services Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board on March 11, 2021. The meeting will be conducted via WebEx and is partially closed to the public to protect sensitive information about research proposals. From 12:15-1:00 p.m. EST, the meeting will focus on discussing the scientific merit of research proposals and the qualifications of researchers, which involves private information. Members of the public can join the open portion of the meeting online or by phone between 12:00-12:15 p.m. EST, and written comments can be submitted to the designated officer, Liza Catucci, before the meeting.

The Veterans Health Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information related to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This program aims to provide grants to support services for low-income veteran families. The information collection involves several forms including grant applications and participant satisfaction surveys. Comments on this proposal are welcomed until February 21, 2025.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its plan to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a project involving a massive new replacement facility for the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. The proposed relocation aims to meet the growing healthcare needs of an increasing Veteran population in South Texas, addressing the existing hospital's outdated infrastructure and space constraints. Two preliminary options are being considered: relocating to a new site within the San Antonio medical district or redeveloping the current site. The community and stakeholders are invited to provide comments and participate in public meetings, as the VA evaluates the environmental and social impacts of these options.

The final rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services allows Veterans Affairs (VA) practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to VA patients via telemedicine without needing an in-person medical evaluation by the prescribing practitioner. This is permissible if another VA practitioner has conducted an in-person evaluation. This change provides greater access to care for veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, while still implementing safeguards against the misuse of controlled substances. The rule includes requirements for reviewing the patient's electronic health record and state prescription drug monitoring program data before prescribing.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for qualified individuals to join their Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War. The committee advises the VA on how to help former prisoners of war better, suggesting improvements in services and benefits. They want a diverse group of up to 12 members, including experts in relevant medical fields and veterans themselves. Nominations are due by February 28, 2025, and should include a nominee's qualifications, willingness to serve, and personal contact information.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released criteria to help evaluate and modernize its health care facilities as required by the MISSION Act of 2018. These criteria are designed to ensure that Veterans have access to high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable health care. The evaluation process will consider factors such as Veterans' needs, accessibility, and resource management, while ensuring compliance with the VA's missions, including education and research. Interested parties are invited to submit comments by May 1, 2021, through the regulations.gov website.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a meeting of the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board to be held on March 3, 2021, via WebEx. This meeting is partially closed to the public to ensure privacy during discussions about research applications. The Board's goal is to fairly select exceptional research projects that help improve the lives of veterans with disabilities. Public attendance is allowed during the open portion of the meeting, and interested individuals must contact Tiffany Asqueri at least five days in advance to attend.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing an interim final rule to allow veterans who served in specific locations during and after the Gulf War to have a presumed service connection for urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers. This is related to exposure to fine particulate matter, particularly from burn pits, which can be hazardous to health and has been shown to have a connection to these types of cancers. This new rule is part of the effort to implement the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act), which aims to simplify the process for veterans to receive health care and benefits for conditions linked to toxic exposures during their military service. The rule is effective January 2, 2025, with comments open until March 3, 2025.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation. The meeting's purpose is to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on adjusting the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities and to assess its effectiveness. Although the meeting is open to the public, there won't be time for oral presentations. Interested individuals can submit written statements by April 13, 2021, for the Committee's review. For participation, public attendees can dial in using a provided phone number and access code.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a final rule to adjust maximum civil monetary penalties for inflation for the year 2021 as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments apply to penalties for false loan guaranty certifications and fraudulent claims related to VA programs. The rule, which became effective on February 2, 2021, specifies increased penalty amounts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The VA has complied with requirements and regulations, finding no need for public comment or impact on small entities.