Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information 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 extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to maintain an up-to-date Agent Orange Registry.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before February 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through http://www.Regulations.gov;; or to Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193E1, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420; or e-mail: ann.bickoff@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0376” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.Regulations.gov .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501—3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Title: Agent Orange Registry Code Sheet, VA Form 10-9009.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0376.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA, in an on-going effort to maintain an Agent Orange Registry (AOR), developed a reporting format to facilitate the collection of information obtained from veterans during the Agent Orange registry examination process. VA is required to organize and update the information contained in the AOR to be able to notify Vietnam era veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam of any increased health risks resulting from exposure to dioxin or other toxic agents. VA may also provide, upon request, a health examination, consultation, and counseling for veterans who are eligible for listing or inclusion in any health-related registry administrated by VA that is similar to the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry. Registry examinations are provided to veterans who served in Korea in 1968 or 1969, and/or any U.S. veteran who may have been exposed to dioxin, or other toxic substance in a herbicide or defoliant, during the conduct of, or as a result of, the testing, transporting, or spraying of herbicides, and who requests an Agent Orange Registry examination. VA will enter the information obtained from the veteran during the interview on VA Form 10-9009, Agent Orange Registry Code Sheet. The registry will provide a mechanism that will catalogue prominent symptoms, reproductive health, and diagnoses and to communicate with Agent Orange veterans. VA will inform the veterans on research findings or new compensation policies through periodic newsletters. The registry is not designed or intended to be a research tool and therefore the results cannot be generalized to represent all Agent Orange veterans.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 7,000 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 20 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.