Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Request for and Consent To Release of Information From Claimant's Records

AGENCY:

Office of Information and Technology, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information used 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. This notice solicits comments for information needed from service organizations requesting to be placed on VA's mailing lists for specific publications; to request additional information from the correspondent to identify a veteran; to request for and consent to release of information from claimant's records to a third party; and to determine an applicant's eligibility to receive a list of names and addresses of Veterans and their dependents.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before July 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through www.Regulations.gov,, or to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: VA Desk Officer; 725 17th St. NW., Washington, DC 20503 or sent through electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please refer to “2900-0028” in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cynthia Harvey-Pryor, Enterprise Records Service (005R1B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-5870 or email cynthia.harvey-pryor@va.gov. Please refer to “2900-0028” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-21.

Titles:

a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing List, VA Form 3215.

b. Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288.

c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form Letter 70-2.

d. 38 CFR 1.519(A) Lists of Names and Addresses.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0028.

Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection.

Abstract:

a. VA operates an outreach services program to ensure Veterans and beneficiaries have information about benefits and services to which they may be entitled. To support the program, VA distributes copies of publications to Veterans Service Organizations' representatives to be used in rendering services and representation of veterans, their spouses and dependents. Service organizations complete VA Form 3215 to request placement on a mailing list for specific VA publications.

b. Veterans or beneficiaries complete VA Form 3288 to provide VA with a written consent to release his or her records or information to third parties such as insurance companies, physicians and other individuals.

c. VA Form Letter 70-2 is used to obtain additional information from a correspondent when the incoming correspondence does not provide sufficient information to identify a Veteran. VA personnel use the information to identify the Veteran, determine the location of a specific file, and to accomplish the action requested by the correspondent such as processing a benefit claim or file material in the individual's claims folder.

d. Title 38 U.S.C. 5701(f)(1) authorized the disclosure of names or addresses, or both of present or former members of the Armed Forces and/or their beneficiaries to nonprofit organizations (including members of Congress) to notify Veterans of Title 38 benefits and to provide assistance to Veterans in obtaining these benefits. This release includes VA's Outreach Program for the purpose of advising Veterans of non-VA Federal State and local benefits and programs.

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 at 82 FR 61 on Friday, March 31, 2017, pages 16088-16089.

Affected Public: Individuals or households, Not for profit institutions, and State, local or tribal government.

Estimated Annual Burden:

a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing List, VA Form 3215—25 hours.

b. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288—18,875 hours.

c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form Letter 70-2—3,750 hours.

d. 38 CFR 1.519(A) Lists of Names and Addresses—50 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent:

a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing List, VA Form 3215—10 minutes.

b. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288—7.5 minutes.

c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form Letter 70-2—5 minutes.

d. 38 CFR 1.519(A) Lists of Names and Addresses—60 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

a. Application of Service Representative for Placement on Mailing List, VA Form 3215—150.

b. Request for and Consent to Release of Information From Claimant's Records, VA Form 3288—151,000.

c. Request to Correspondent for Identifying Information, VA Form Letter 70-2—45,000.

d. 38 CFR 1.519(A) Lists of Names and Addresses—50.