Agency Information Collection Activity: Statement of Disappearance

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 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.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before May 24, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.regulations.gov or to Nancy Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0036” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danny S. Green at (202) 421-1354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, 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, VBA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA'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.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 108.

Title: Statement of Disappearance, VA Form 21P-1775.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0036.

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

Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers an integrated program of benefits and services, established by law, for veterans, service personnel and their survivors. 38 U.S.C. 108 requires a formal “presumption of death” when a veteran has been missing for seven years. Entitlement to death benefits cannot be determined in these cases until VA has made a decision of presumption of death.

VA Form 21P-1775 is used to gather the necessary information to determine if a decision of presumptive death can be made for benefit payment purposes. It would be impossible to administer the survivor benefits program without this collection of information.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 28 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 2 hours, 45 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.