Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans from the 105th Congress [December 1998 - January 1997]

Except as noted, the numbers listed in this document are not toll-free.  Please also be advised that any contact information included in this document is solely historical in nature, and is only maintained as such; it was only accurate at the initial time of publication.

December 1998

• VA Acquisition Regulation: Title and Reference Updates. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 31, 1998, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, parents' dependency and indemnity compensation, and spina bifida programs. These adjustments are based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index during the one year period ending September 30, 1998. Also included is the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be paid for headstones or markers purchased in lieu of Government-furnished headstone or markers in Fiscal Year 1999, which began on October 1, 1998.
  Cola Effective Date: December 1, 1998.
  Headstone or Marker Allowance Rate Effective Date: October 1, 1998.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (213B), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Publication of the OIG Compliance Program Guidance for Third-Party Medical Billing Companies. The Department of Health and Human Services published a notice in the Federal Register on December 18, 1998, to set forth the recently issued Compliance Program Guidance for Third-Party Medical Billing Companies developed by the Office of Inspector General in cooperation with, and with input from, the Health Care Financing Administration, the Department of Justice and representatives of various trade associations and health care practice groups. The Office of Inspector General in cooperation with, and with input from, the Health Care Financing Administration has previously developed and published compliance program guidance focused on the clinical laboratory and hospital industries and on home health agencies. Health and Human Services believes that the development and issuance of this compliance program guidance for third-party medical billing companies will serve as a positive step towards promoting a higher level of ethical and lawful conduct throughout the entire health care industry.
  Contact at Health and Human Services: Susan Lemanski, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General; telephone: (202) 619-2078.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation, Notice of Charter Renewal. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 18, 1998, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation has been renewed for a 2-year period beginning December 4, 1998, through December 4, 2000.

• VA Acquisition Regulation: Title and Reference Updates. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 16, 1998, to update office names and job titles due to administrative changes within the Department; correct references and typographical errors; delete obsolete material; delete material which duplicates material in the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and to revise and update section numbers and titles to correspond with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
  Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420;.

• Poverty Threshold. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 14, 1998, of the weighted average poverty threshold established for 1997 for one person (unrelated individual) as established by the Bureau of the Census. The amount is $8,183.
  Effective Date: September 9, 1998.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 14, 1998, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet in Washington, DC on January 25 - 27, 1999. The Committee will focus on VA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to assess effectiveness of VA's contracting initiatives to increase the number of contracts to minority and other disadvantaged veterans.
  Contact: Anthony T. Hawkins, Office of Minority Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board, Notice of Meeting. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 14, 1998, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet in Washington, DC on January 12 - 14, 1999. The Committee will review rehabilitation research and development applications for scientific and technical merit and to make recommendations to the Director, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, regarding their funding.
  Contact: Victoria Mongiardo, Program Analyst, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service; Notice of Meeting. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 14, 1998, that the Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service will meet in Houston, TX on January 18 - 20, 1999. The Committee will review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care systems and with testing new methods of health care delivery and management. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Review Program Manager (124F), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Dependents Education: Increase in Educational Assistance Rates. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 9, 1998, that a provision of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 provides for an increase of approximately 20% in educational assistance rates payable under Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.
  Effective Date: October 1, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Adviser, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, Notice of Charter Renewal. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 8, 1998, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education has been renewed for a 2-year period beginning November 13, 1998, through November 13, 2000.

• Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities, Notice of Meeting. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 8, 1988, that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities will be held in Washington, DC on December 14 - 15, 1998. The Committee will review the developments in the field of structural design, as they relate to seismic safety of buildings, and fire safety issues.
  Contact: Krishna K. Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Standards Service, Facilities Quality Office, Office of Facilities Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• The Health Impact of Chemical Exposure During the Gulf War: A Research Planning Conference. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a notice in the Federal Register on December 1, 1998, that a research planning conference on the Health Impact of Chemical Exposures During the Gulf War would be held In Atlanta, Georgia, from February 28 - March 1, 1999. The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum for broad public input into the development of a multi-year research plan for investigating the relationship between chemical exposures during the Gulf War and illnesses affecting Gulf War veterans.
  Contact at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Phillip M. Talboy, Deputy Chief, Veterans' Health Activity Working Group, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, m/s F-28, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724.

November 1998

• Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Representative, Attorneys, and Agents - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule, in the Federal Register on November 4, 1998, regarding recognition of service organizations and accreditation of their representatives and agents, attorneys, and individuals seeking to represent claimants for benefits administered by VA.
  Comments Deadline: January 4, 1999.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AI93."
  Contact:: Martin Sendek, Staff Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Per Diem for Nursing Home Care of Veterans in State Homes - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on November 9, 1998, to set forth a mechanism for paying per diem to State homes providing nursing home care to eligible veterans.
  Comments Deadline: January 8, 1999.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AE87."
  Contact:: Nan Stout, Chief, State Home Per Diem Program (114) Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• VA Acquisition Regulations: Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Health Care Resources - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on November 9, 1998 to establish simplified procedures for the competitive acquisition of healthcare resources, consisting of commercial services or the use of medical equipment or space, pursuant to 38 USC §§8151-8153.
  Comments Deadline: January 8, 1999.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AI71."
  Contact:: Dennis Foley, Office of the General Counsel, Professional Staff Group V, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-9225; or Don Kaliher, Acquisition Resources Service, Office of Acquisition and Material Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-8819.

October 1998

• Well Grounded Claims/Duty to Assist - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an Advance notice of proposed rulemaking, in the Federal Register on October 30, 1998, to establish policy and guidansce regarding what action, if any, VA should take to develop evidence pertaining to benefit claims that are not well grounded.
  Comments Deadline: January 28, 1999.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AJ44."
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, telephone (202) 273-7210.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a summary of legal interpretations, issued by VA's General Counsel, involving veterans' benefits, in the Federal Register on October 22, 1998. These interpretations are considered precedential, and will be followed by VA in future claim matters.
  • VAOPGCPREC 8-98: compensation under 38 USC 1117 for disability manifested by symptoms that either elude diagnosis or are attributed to a poorly-defined disease
  • VAOPGCPREC 9-98: ratings under diagnostic codes 5003, 5010, 5257, 5259, 5260-61, 5284
  • VAOPGCPREC 10-98: 38 USC § 5310(b) and survivors' death benefits
  • VAOPGCPREC 11-98: enrolling all catastrophically disabled veterans in enrollment category four
  • VAOPGCPREC 12-98: effective date for increased disability compensation awards
  • VAOPGCPREC 13-98: restored dependency and indemnity compensation and CHAMVA eligibility
  • VAOPGCPREC 14-98: presumption of aggravation for a chronic disease which existed prior to service; independent medical expert opinion
  E ffective date: October 2, 1998.
  Contact: Jane L. Lehman, Chief, Law Library, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-6558.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 22, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will be held on November 16th through 18th, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401.
  The agenda will include the status of the Committee's recommendations made to the Secretary on ways to help VA improve services to our POW community, and establishment of POW Advisory Groups at local VA medical centers. The Committee has invited medical professionals from VA field activities (those who work with Ex-POW veterans) and medical professionals from the National Institute of Health and from the Naval Aero Medical Institute, Pensacola, Florida, for their input to the Committee. On November 18th, there will be a discussion by a panel of experts on stroke research concerning the POW veteran.
  Contact: Mr. Robert Epley, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Medical Care Collection or Recovery - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule and notice in the Federal Register on October 13, 1998 concerning collection or recovery by VA for medical care or services provided or furnished to a veteran: for a non-service connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health-plan contract; for a non-service connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or for a non-service connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  The proposed rule includes methodology for establishing charges for VA medical care or services. Using this methodology, information for calculating proposed charge amounts at individual VA facilities for inpatient facility charges, skilled nursing facility/sub-acute inpatient facility charges, outpatient facility charges, and physician charges is set forth in the notice.
  Comment deadline: December 14, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AJ30."
  Contact: David Cleaver, VHA Office of Finance (174), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8210.

• Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents - The Department of Defense (DoD) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 14, 1998 that the Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents will meet November 19-20, 1998, at Senate Hart Office Building, Room SH-216, 2nd Street and Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20510, to discuss overview strategy, to solicit recommendations from veterans, veterans service organizations, and other concerned groups, and to obtain information from the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses and other Federal agencies regarding the causes of Gulf War Illnesses.
  Board Contact: Mr. Roger Kaplan, Deputy Executive Director, Special Oversight Board, 1401 Wilson Blvd, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22209; telephone (703) 696-9470.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 13, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will be held October 28-29, 1998. The purpose of the committee is to review the administration of VA's cemeteries and burial benefits program.
  On October 28, there will be a business session at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513. The committee will be updated on National Cemetery System (NCS) issues, briefed on operations at Florida National Cemetery and then given a tour of the cemetery. On October 29, there will be updates and discussions on cremation scatter areas, military honors, construction of and dedications for new cemeteries, NCS 25th Anniversary and the One VA conference, at the Hawthorne Suites Hotel, 6435 Westwood Blvd., Orlando, FL 32821.
  Contact: Louise Ware, Special Assistant to the Acting Director, National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7577.

• Eligibility Reporting Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule and notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 1998 concerning eligibility verification reports (EVRs) for recipients of pension under programs in effect prior to January 1, 1979. The amendment reduces the number of circumstances under which VA requires such pensioners to furnish annual EVRs. The intended effect of this amendment is to reduce the reporting burden on these beneficiaries, reduce the workload at VA regional offices, and enable VA to use its resources more effectively.
  Effective date: October 6, 1998.
  Comment deadline: December 7, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AJ09."
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, telephone (202) 273-7210.

September 1998

• Army Board for Correction of Military Records - The Department of the Army published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 29, 1998 to update the policies and procedures for consideration of applications, and corrections of the military records process. The section implements portions of Title 10, US Code 1034, and Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 7050.6, Military Whistleblower Protection, that pertain to actions by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. It also implements DoD Instruction 1336.6 Correction of Military Records and streamlines portions of the application process by transferring the information into a Department of the Army Pamphlet.
  Effective date: January 2, 1999.
  Comment deadline: October 29, 1998.
  Army address: The Army Review Boards Agency, Attn: SFMR-Rbr, 1941 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-4508.
  Army Contact: Ms. Gale Thomas, Military Personnel Management Specialist; telephone: (703) 607-2044.

• Gold Star Mother's Day, 1998 - A Presidential Proclamation was published in the Federal Register on September 29, 1998 to designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day.

• Management of Federal Agency Disbursements - The Department of the Treasury published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 25, 1998 to establish the circumstances under which waivers are available; set forth requirements for accounts to which Federal payments may be sent by electronic funds transfer (EFT); provide that any individual who receives a Federal benefit, wage, salary, or retirement payment shall be eligible to open a low-cost Treasury-designated account at a financial institution that offers such accounts; and to set forth the responsibilities of Federal agencies and recipients under the regulation.
  Effective date: January 2, 1999.
  Comment deadline: December 7, 1998.
  Treasury address: This rule is available on the Financial Management Service's EFT web site at the following address: http://www.fms.treas.gov/eft/.
  Treasury Contact: Diana Shevlin, Financial Program Specialist, at (202) 874-7032; Donna Wilson, Financial Program Specialist, at (202) 874-6799; Sally Phillips, Senior Financial Program Specialist, at (202) 874-6749; Natalie H. Diana at (202) 874-6950; Cynthia L. Johnson, Director, Cash Management Policy and Planning Division, at (202) 874-6590; or Margaret Marquette, Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 874-6681.

• Claims Based on Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (Prostate Cancer and Any Other Cancer) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 24, 1998 to implement a decision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that, based on all evidence currently available to him, prostate cancer and any other cancers may be induced by ionizing radiation. The intended effect of this action is to relieve veterans, or their survivors, seeking benefits under the provisions of the Veterans' Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act of the burden of having to submit evidence that a veteran's prostate cancer or any other cancer may have been induced by ionizing radiation.
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 1998 - A Presidential Proclamation was published in the Federal Register on September 21, 1998 to proclaim September 18, 1998, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

• Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 21, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will be held at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk, 217 North Saint Marys Street, San Antonio, TX, on October 26-27, 1998. The Department of Veterans Affairs will present an overview and data collection issues from the pilot study of the Army Chemical Corps Vietnam Veterans Health Study, and discuss considerations for the main health study. The Air Force Health Study presentations will: (1) Provide Cycle 5 Health Exam information, summary, status, and proposed schedule for committee review; (2) report on the latest findings, as well as the status of special studies on half-life, adipose tissue analysis, glucose clamp, and multiple analyte; (3) present proposed measurements for the Cycle 6 Health Exam; (4) report the status of scanning and records maintenance; (5) present a summary of the biological archive; (6) discuss the release of the 1984 preliminary birth defects report; and (7) present the status of public release data.

• Transfer and Reuse of Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Calverton, New York - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 21, 1998 to announce its decision to transfer approximately 150 acres of the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) Calverton, located adjacent to the Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton New York, out of Navy ownership to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Navy Contact: Mr. Bob Ostermueller, Northern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Code 202.2), Mail Stop 82, 10 Industrial Highway, Lester, PA 19113; telephone: (610) 595-0759.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 17, 1998 that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans would meet September 21-26, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12, Building 18, 5th Avenue and Roosevelt Road, Hines, IL 60104.
  Contact: Ms. Maryanne Carson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: phone (202) 273-6193.

• Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 17, 1998 listing the subcommittee meetings of the Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee from September 24, 1998 - December 3, 1998.
  Contact: Dr. LeRoy Frey, Chief, Program Review Division, Medical Research Service, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: phone (202) 275-6634.

• Advisory Committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 11, 1998 that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee would meet September 21-22, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Room 530, located at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The agenda will include a discussion of VA support for Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECCs), the Report of GRECC Site Visits and GRECC Performance Measures, and a review update on VA activities in Geriatrics and Extended Care.
  Contact: Jacqueline Holmes, Program Assistant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: phone (202) 273-8539.

• Release of Information From Department of Veterans Affairs Records - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 10, 1998 to amend Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations governing the confidentiality and release of VA records subject to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996, and the veterans' records confidentiality statute. The proposed rule sets forth a mechanism for the public to obtain information from the VA. It is intended to maximize public availability of VA records to the extent permitted by law and considerations such as personal privacy or law enforcement. Essentially these provisions consist of restatements of statute, interpretations of statute, interpretations of case law, interpretations of Executive Orders, and clarification. The proposed amendments also would implement the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996, court decisions and Executive Branch guidance issued since the regulations were originally published. Further, this document proposes to delegate authority to the Assistant General Counsel for Professional Staff Group IV for making final Departmental decisions on appeals under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and 38 USC §5701 and §5705. This would simplify decision making by allowing the highest level individual with direct responsibility for decision making to issue decisions.
  Comments Deadline: November 9, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AH98.'"
  Contact: Lorrie Johnson, Deputy Assistant General Counsel (024A), Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: phone (202) 273-6358.

• Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 9, 1998 to amend the medical regulations concerning medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans. These regulations establish basic policies and procedures governing the administration of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), including CHAMPVA claims processing procedures, benefits and services.
  Contact: Susan Schmetzer, Health Administration Center (formerly CHAMPVA Center), Department of Veterans Affairs, PO Box 65023, Denver, CO 80206-9023; telephone: (303) 331-7552.
  Go To CHAMPVA Website

• Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 8, 1998 that a meeting of the Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee will be held at the Marriott Residence Inn, 500 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, on October 14-15, 1998. The Committee will review four new proposals: Cost effectiveness of alternative management strategies in patients with dyspepsia, Vitamins to lower homocysteinemia in kidney and end stage renal disease, Multi-model therapy in Veterans with Gulf War illnesses and Antibiotic treatment of Gulf War Syndrome; and the progress of one ongoing study on cost and outcome of telephone care. The Committee advises the Chief Research and Development Officer through the Chief of the Cooperative Studies Program on the relevance and feasibility of the studies, the adequacy of the protocols, and the scientific validity and propriety of technical details, including protection of human subjects.
  The meeting will be closed from 8:45 am to 4:15 pm on October 14, 1998 and from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, on October 15, 1998. During the closed sessions, discussions and recommendations will deal with qualifications of personnel conducting the studies, staff and consultant critiques of research protocols, and similar documents, and the medical records of patients who are study subjects, the disclosures of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
  Contact: Dr. Ping Huang, Coordinator, Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8295.

• Notice of Availability of 1999 Competitive Grant Funds - The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) published a Solicitation for proposals for the provision of civil legal services in the Federal Register on September 4, 1998 announcing the availability of competitive grant funds, and is soliciting grant proposals from interested parties who are qualified to provide effective, efficient and high quality legal assistance to eligible persons who appeal to the CVA. The exact amount of congressionally appropriated funds and the date, terms and conditions of their availability for calendar year 1999 have not been determined.
  The Legal Services Corporation is the national organization charged with administering federal funds to furnish legal and other assistance to persons who appeal to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals but who are unable to afford the cost of representation (PL 102-229).
  LSC Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. EDT, October 30, 1998.
  

• Women's Bureau: Notice of National Women Veterans Original Art Design Search - The Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 3, 1998 that DOL Women's Bureau, the Employment and Training Administration's US Employment Service and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service are holding a national women veterans original art search in which any U.S. military veteran may compete for first, second, and third places for the best original art works that depict women as U.S. military veterans with a "Hire a Vet: A Model of Success" theme. The first place winning art work will be printed as posters for display at the State Employment Services Offices, local Job Service Offices, one-stop career centers, veterans offices, and other offices where women veterans seek employment and retraining opportunities. The first place entrant's poster will be unveiled at the U.S. Department of Labor's Annual Salute to Veterans program on November 10, 1998, hosted by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.
  Deadline: Original art work must be postmarked no later than October 16, 1998.
  DOL Address: Original art work and Artist Release Form (see Section G of Notice) must be submitted to Cheryl Edwards, US Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-3311, Washington, DC 20210.
  DOL Contact: Cornelia H. Moore, Regional Administrator, US Department of Labor Women's Bureau, Philadelphia, PA 19104; telephone: (800) 379-9042.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 2, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, September 1-2, 1998, at VA Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will receive a briefing on the data collection methodology used in the Report to Congress on Maintaining Capacity to Provide for the Specialized Treatment and Rehabilitative Needs of Disabled Veterans.
  Contact: Kathy Pessagno, Veterans Health Administration (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: phone (202) 273-8512.

August 1998

• Availability of the Interagency Workgroup Document, A Draft Report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 31, 1998 announcing the availability of the draft document, "A Report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)", by the Interagency Workgroup on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. The public is invited to comment on this draft report.
  Because of the concern for the health and well-being of persons with symptoms of MCS, several federal agencies formed a workgroup in 1995 to review pertinent scientific literature, consider recommendations from various expert panels, and develop technical and policy recommendations for consideration. The Interagency Workgroup on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity includes: Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), Centers for Disease Control (National Center for Environmental Health) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
  HHS Comments Deadline: October 30, 1998.
  HHS Contact: Alice Knox, ATSDR Information Center, 1600 Clifton Road, Mail Stop E57, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone: (800) 447-1544.

• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program, Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program, and Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program - The Department of Education (ED) published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 31, 1998 to amend the regulations governing the Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program, Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program, and Group Projects Abroad Program.
  Veteran relevant section: Section 662.20(d) preserves and clarifies the current position of the Department of Education relating to veteran's preference. These regulations add language to clarify that if two scores are tied and one of the applicants is a veteran, the applicant who is a veteran will receive a preference.
  ED Effective Date: September 30, 1998.
  ED Contact: Karla Ver Bryck Block, US Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW, Suite 600C Portals Building, Washington, DC 20202-5331; telephone: (202) 401-9774.

• Election of Education Benefits - The Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Transportation published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 27, 1998 to amend VA's educational benefits regulations relating to certain elections between benefits. VA has provided by regulation that after a veteran seeks to make an election to have service in the Selected Reserve credited toward payment under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program or under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty (MGIB-AD) program, the election will take effect when the individual has negotiated a check issued under the program she or he has elected. In order to adapt the regulations to the new system of electronic transfers, these election provisions are changed to make the election effective either upon negotiation of a check or electronic receipt of education benefits. VA has provided by regulation that an election to receive benefits under Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) for a program of education rather than pension, compensation, or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) will take effect when the individual has commenced a program of education and negotiated a check issued under the program she or he has elected. In order to adapt the regulations to the new system of electronic transfers and to ensure that decisions are made with knowledge, these election provisions are changed to require a written election to be submitted and to make the election effective either upon negotiation of a check or electronic receipt of education benefits.
  Effective Date: September 28, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Adviser, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Public Land Order No. 7359; Transfer of Jurisdiction; Oklahoma - The Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 27, 1998 to transfer the administrative jurisdiction of 391.27 acres of land withdrawn for use by the military at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from the United States Department of the Army to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for the construction and operation of a national cemetery. This transfer of jurisdiction is directed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (PL 104-201).
  Effective Date: Effective Date: August 27, 1998.
  BLM Contact: John Ledbetter, BLM Moore Field Office, 221 North Service Road, Moore, Oklahoma 73160-4946; telephone: (405) 794-9624

• Additional Disability or Death Due to Hospital Care, Medical or Surgical Treatment, Examination, or Training and Rehabilitation Services - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 24, 1998 to amend VA adjudication regulations concerning awards of compensation, or dependency and indemnity compensation, for additional disability or death due to VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, examination, or training and rehabilitation services. Under this final rule, benefits are payable for additional disability or death caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination only if VA fault or "an event not reasonably foreseeable" proximately caused the disability or death. Benefits are also payable for additional disability or death proximately caused by VA's provision of training and rehabilitation services. This final rule is necessary to reflect Congress' recent amendment of 38 U.S.C. 1151, the statutory authority for such benefits.
  Effective Date: Effective Date: October 1, 1997.
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Special Medical Advisory Group - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 14, 1998 that a meeting of the Special Medical Advisory Group will be held on September 16, 1998, in Room 830 at VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and end at about 4:00 p.m. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of telemedicine, government computerized patient record, quality and safety, long term care and unfunded mandates in a fixed budget.
  Contact: Brenda Goodworth, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5878.

• Reduction in Force Service Credit; Retention Records - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)published a proposed regulation in the Federal Register on August 14, 1998 to cover service credit for retention purposes. These proposed regulations also cover access to retention records by employees and their representatives.
  OPM's retention regulations found in part 351 are published under authority of 5 U.S.C. 3502(a). The statute provides that OPM's reduction in force regulations must give effect to four factors in releasing employees: (1) tenure of employment (i.e., type of appointment); (2) veterans' preference; (3) length of service; and (4) performance ratings.
  OPM Comments Deadline: October 13, 1998.
  OPM Address: Associate Director for Employment Service, Room 6F08, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415.
  OPM Contact: Thomas A. Glennon or Jacqui R. Yeatman, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415; telephone: (202) 606-2329.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 13, 1998 that a meeting of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation (VACOR), will be held September 23rd through 25th, 1998, in room 730 at VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the Committee with current information regarding the reorganization of VA's Health and Benefits Administrations, determine how service-delivery changes may potentially impact on the rehabilitation of disabled veterans, and generate change recommendations, if needed, to ensure the effectiveness of the VA's programs of veteran rehabilitation. In addition, the committee will be informed of the new Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling (VR&C) Quality Assurance Program, outside contracting for rehabilitation services, and review of preliminary findings made by the Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance.
  Contact: Frank J. Donlan, Counseling Psychologist, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7436.

• Reduction in Force Service Credit; Retention Records - The Department of Justice (DOJ) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 4, 1998 to amend the Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations by establishing a new part requiring certain entities that provide Federal public benefits (with certain exceptions) to verify, by examining alien applicants' evidence of alien registration and by using a Service automated verification system that the applicants are eligible for the benefits under welfare reform legislation.
  Veteran relevant sections: Section 104.60 Veteran and active duty exception and Section 104.9 Inapplicability to certain programs.
  DOJ Comments Deadline: October 5, 1998.
  DOJ Address: Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW, Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. To ensure proper handling, please reference INS No. 1902-98 on your correspondence.
  DOJ Contact: John E. Nahan, Director, SAVE Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW, ulliCO Building, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20536; telephone: (202) 514-2317.

July 1998

• Payment for Non-VA Physician Services Associated with Either Outpatient or Inpatient Care Provided at Non-VA Facilities - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 23, 1998 to amend VA medical regulations concerning payment for non-VA physician services that are associated with outpatient or inpatient care provided to eligible VA beneficiaries at non-VA facilities. Generally, when a service-specific reimbursement amount has been calculated under Medicare's Participating Physician Fee Schedule, VA would pay the lesser of the actual billed charge or the calculated amount. Also, when an amount has not been calculated or when the services constitute anesthesia services, VA would pay the amount calculated under a 75th percentile formula or, in certain limited circumstances, VA would pay the usual and customary rate. Consistent with statutory requirements, the regulations specify that VA payment constitutes payment in full.
  Effective Date: August 24, 1998.
  Contact: Abby O'Donnell, Health Administration Service (10C3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8307.

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Cold Injuries - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 14, 1998 to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities by revising the provisions governing evaluations for cold injury residuals. The intended effect of this amendment is to provide evaluation criteria based on current medical knowledge about the long-term effects of cold injury that can be applied to any part of the body affected by cold injury.
  Effective Date: August 13, 1998.
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Consultant, Regulations Staff (211B), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Provision of Drugs and Medicines to Certain Veterans in State Homes - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on July 14, 1998 to amend the "Medical" regulations concerning the provision of drugs and medicines prescribed by non-VA physicians for certain veterans who are permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. The regulations are amended to allow prescriptions to be filled by non-VA pharmacies in state homes under contract with VA for filling prescriptions for patients in state homes.
  Effective Date: July 14, 1998.
  Comments Deadline: September 14, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AJ34."
  Contact: Jeff Ramirez, Pharmacy Service (119), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8428.

• Privacy Act of 1974, Addition of Routine Use to Three Systems of Records - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 14, 1998 that the VA proposes to add a routine use to three existing systems of records: the Veterans Appellate Records System, the Representatives' Fee Agreement Records System, and the Compensation, Pension, Education and Rehabilitation Records. This routine use would permit VA to disclose information to former representatives to the extent necessary to develop and adjudicate a claim for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits or to review a fee agreement. VA would not be permitted to release a beneficiary's address under this routine use.
  Effective Date: August 14, 1998.
  Comments Deadline: August 13, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Thomas D. Roberts, Deputy Chief Counsel, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Enrollment--Provision of Hospital and Outpatient Care to Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 10, 1998 to implement a national enrollment system to manage the delivery of healthcare services, pursuant to the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996. Starting October 1, 1998, most veterans must be enrolled in the VA healthcare system as a condition of receiving VA hospital and outpatient care. Veterans would be allowed to apply to be enrolled at any time. They would be eligible to be enrolled based on funding availability and their priority status. In accordance with statutory provisions, the proposed rule also states that some categories of veterans would be eligible for VA hospital and outpatient care even if not enrolled. This document further proposes to establish a "medical benefits package" setting forth, with certain exceptions, the hospital and outpatient care that would be provided to enrolled veterans and certain other veterans.
  Comments Deadline: September 8, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN: 2900-AJ18."
  Contact: Roscoe Butler, Health Administration Service (10C3), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8302.

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans - The Department of Labor published a notice in the Federal Register on July 10, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will be held July 23 through 25, 1998. This meeting will conducted primarily at VA facilities in Spokane, Washington, and Missoula and Fort Harrison, Montana. The Committee will also visit with Native American veterans on the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations in Montana to review the availability of services for rural and minority veterans. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the Committee a first-hand opportunity to review the provision and coordination of VA services for war related post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and other readjustment difficulties specific to war veterans.
  Contact: Alfonso R. Batres, Ph.D., M.S.S.W., Chief, Readjustment Counseling Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8967.

• Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 10, 1998, that it intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program matching Office of Personnel Management (OPM) records with VA pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) records. The proposed matching program will enable VA to ensure accurate reporting of income.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge (213B), Program Management Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7218.

• Veterans Education: Suspension and Discontinuance of Payments - The Departments of Defense, Transportation (Coast Guard), and Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 10, 1998, making changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education regulations. It requires VA field stations to obtain recommendations from a Committee on Educational Allowances before deciding whether to suspend or discontinue payments of educational assistance when educational institutions (including training establishments) fail to meet requirements. The changes apply to the following educational assistance programs: Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty, Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program, and the Educational Assistance Pilot Program.
  Effective Date: July 31, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7187.

June 1998

• Criteria for Approving Flight Courses for Educational Assistance Programs - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on June 23, 1998, to revise the criteria to be used in approving flight courses for the education benefits programs VA administers. In large part, these amendments bring the approval criteria into agreement with various provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and with the current regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration.
  Effective Date: This rule is effective June 23, 1998.
  Comments Deadline: August 24, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AI76."
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; (202) 273-7187.

• Veterans' Education: Effective Date for Awards of Educational Assistance to Veterans Who Were Voluntarily Discharged - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 23, 1998, to establish effective dates of awards of educational assistance to certain voluntarily discharged veterans who are eligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty (MGIB). The effective dates correspond with a statutory mandate for the effective dates. The final rule also clarifies that these veterans may not receive educational assistance for training that occurs before they pay the Federal government $1,200.
  Effective Date: This rule is effective July 23, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; (202) 273-7187.

• The Enhanced-Use Development of the VAMC Sioux Falls, SD - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 8, 1998 to designate the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Sioux Falls, SD, for an Enhanced-Use Lease development. The Department intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property with the Children's Care Hospital and School (CCH&S). The CCH&S will construct and maintain a parking area on the site, and will, as consideration for the lease, provide specified facilities and services to the Department at no cost.
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Asset and Enterprise Development Office (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; (202) 565-4307.

• Loan Guaranty: Requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 3, 1998, to amend VA's loan guaranty regulations concerning the requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans (IRRRLs) by generally limiting these loans to instances where the veteran's monthly mortgage payment will decrease, and by requiring that the loans being refinanced either be current in their payments or meet certain credit standard provisions. This appears to be necessary to ensure that these loans are made only when they provide a real benefit to the veteran, and to protect the financial interest of the Government.
  Comments Deadline: August 3, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AI92."
  Contact: : Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; (202) 273-7368.

• Secretary of Labor's Advisory Committee for Veterans Employment and Training - The Department of Labor published a notice in the Federal Register on June 2, 1998 that the Secretary of Labor's Advisory Committee for Veterans' Employment and Training will meet on Monday, June 22, 1998, at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-2508, Washington, DC 20210 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Agenda items include updates on the Interagency Task Force on Certification and Licensing of Military Personnel, pilot programs to ensure priority of service on America's Job Bank/america's Talent Bank, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling.
  DOL Contact: Ms. Polin Cohanne, Designated Federal Official, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S 1315, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 219-9116.

May 1998

• Increase in Rates Payable for Cooperative Training under the Montgomery G.I. Bill (Active Duty) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 21, 1998 to reflect a statutory increase in the monthly rates of educational assistance for veterans in cooperative training who were formerly eligible for assistance under the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill. Public Law 105-114, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1997, provided a new statutory formula for use in calculating the monthly rates of educational assistance payable under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty to someone pursuing cooperative training.
  Effective Date: October 9, 1996.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 21, 1998 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will be held on June 16-19, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the needs of women veterans with respect to health care, rehabilitation, compensation, outreach and other programs, and activities administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to meet such needs. It will be necessary for those wishing to attend to contact VA prior to June 5, 1998.
  Contact: Ms. Maryanne Carson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193.

• Revision of BVA Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable Error - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 19, 1998 to amend the Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) to implement the provisions of section 1(b) of Public Law 105-111, which permits challenges to Board decisions on the grounds of "clear and unmistakable error." The amendments would provide specific application procedures; establish decision standards based on case law; and eliminate as duplicative the Board Chairman's discretionary review under "reconsideration" on the basis of obvious error.
  Comments Deadline: July 20, 1998.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Chief Counsel, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Advance Payments and Lump-Sum Payments of Educational Assistance - The Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs published a Proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 20, 1998 to amend the educational assistance regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dealing with the advance payment and lump-sum payment of educational assistance. VA is proposing to remove provisions that no longer apply and by make other changes for the purpose of clarification.
  Comments Deadline: July 20, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AI31".
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Veterans' Training: Time Limit for Submitting Certifications under the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 13, 1998 that places deadlines for submitting the certifications needed for both periodic payments and lump-sum deferred-incentive payments under the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act (SMOCTA). Since the Act has a sunset provision, all work for which payments are due has been completed. This final rule allows VA to close the administration of SMOCTA.
  Comments Deadline: July 13, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Enhanced-Use Lease of Property at the VAMC, Palo Alto, California - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 4, 1998 to designate the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Palo Alto, California for an Enhanced-Use Lease development. The Department intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property with the developer whose proposal will provide improved quality and access to nursing home/residential care services while offering a return of "in-kind" services to VA which will further enhance quality of care to veteran patients at VAPAHCS.
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Computer Matching Program – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 4, 1998, that it intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program to match Social Security Administration (SSA) records with VA pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) records. The proposed matching program will enable VA to ensure accurate reporting of income.
  Effective Date: March 6, 1998.
  Applicability Date: November 2, 1994.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge (213B), Program Management Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7218.

April 1998

• National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day - The President published a proclamation in the Federal Register on April 13, 1998, declaring Thursday, April 9, 1998, National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

• VA Acquisition Regulations: Commercial Items - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 9, 1998, concerning the acquisition of commercial items. It amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) provisions to conform to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to delete obsolete references and titles, to update references and titles, to reorganize material and to remove obsolete material. This document also sets forth VAAR provisions and clauses for use by contracting officers for commercial item solicitations and contracts.
  Effective Date: May 11, 1998.
  Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8819.

• Acquisition Regulations: Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest; Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on April 7, 1998, to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) concerning the requirement to include an Ethics in Government Act certification in solicitations. This action is proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Reform Act of 1996 (also known as the Clinger-Cohen Act), 41 U.S.C. 425, which stipulate that certain certification requirements not required by statute be eliminated from agency supplemental acquisition regulations.
  Comments Deadline: June 8, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AJ06.''
  Contact: John Corso, Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8754.

• Accounts Receivable Records--VA – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 6, 1998, altering a system of records entitled "Accounts Receivable Records—VA", to reflect VA's participation in the Government-wide debt collection program. The revisions include new and modified routine uses to accommodate new means of collection authorized by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (§31001 of PL 104-134), additional Government programs from which debts are created and for which VA’s Debt Management Center (DMC) will perform collection services, cross servicing of indebtedness accounts by the Department of the Treasury or other agencies designated by that department and the referral of indebtedness accounts to Government disbursing officials for offset of almost any Government payment. DMC has applied for status as a cross-servicing debt collection center. The new means of collection authorized by PL 104-134 include sale of delinquent debt to the private sector, administrative wage garnishment and dissemination of debtor information.
  Effective Date: May 6, 1998.
  Address: Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Daniel D. Osendorf, Director, Debt Management Center (389/00), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111; telephone: (612) 725-1844.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 2, 1998, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on April 27-29, 1998, in Washington, DC.
  The meeting will focus on VA health care delivery to minority Veterans and receive reports from Veterans Health Administration officials on implementation of the Advisory Committee's recommendations contained in its two previous annual reports. The Committee will also receive testimony from several Veterans Service Organizations. The meeting is open to the public.
  Contact: Mr. Anthony T. Hawkins, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Minority Veterans (OOM), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-6708.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 2, 1998, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on May 1-2, 1998, at the Park Plaza International Hotel, 1177 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, CA.
  The meeting will review volunteer policies and procedures; accommodate full and open communications between the organizations, representatives and the Voluntary Service Office and field staff; to provide educational opportunities geared towards improving volunteer programs with special emphasis on methods to recruit, retain, motivate and recognize volunteers; and approve committee recommendations. The meeting is open to the public.
  Contact: Director, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8952.

• Gulf War Expert Scientific Advisory Committee – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 1, 1998, that the Gulf War Expert Scientific Advisory Committee will meet on March 30-31, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  The agenda for March 30 will include presentations on: Patient Satisfaction Survey; Low Level Agent Exposure and Biological Effects; Characteristics of DoD Pre-Deployment Physicals; Disability Ratings Among Gulf War Veterans; and follow-ups on VA Mortality Study and VA Referral Center Patients.
  On March 31 the Committee will hear updates on the DoD/VA Programs in Leishmania; Depleted Uranium Training; and Activities in Risk Communications. The meeting is open to the public.
  Contact: Executive Secretary, Office of Public Health & Environmental Hazards, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Due to unforeseen circumstances, this notice of meeting is being published late. Notice of availability of the Executive Summary of this meeting will be published in the Federal Registry in the near future.

March 1998

• Education: Monthly Verification of Enrollment and Other Reports – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 31, 1998, to expand the current requirement that some reservists receiving educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) verify their pursuit of a program of education monthly to include those reservists who are pursuing a standard college degree. At the same time the document proposes reducing the number of reports VA receives from educational institutions.
  Comment Deadline: June 1, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI68.''
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration (202) 273-7187.

• VA Acquisition Regulations – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 31, 1998, to amend VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) to:
  1. delete coverage that duplicates or conflicts with the Federal Acquisition Regulation;
  2. delete internal agency guidance to contracting officers;
  3. delete obsolete references to the General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals;
  4. incorporate changes made by Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 90-40, Item XIII and FAC 90-45, Item XII;
  5. publish VA policy regarding the availability of staff of the VA Board of Contract Appeals to serve as third-party neutrals in alternative dispute resolution proceedings; and
  6. update clauses and references.
  E ffective Date: April 30, 1998.
  Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8819.

• Grant Applications for Job Training Partnership Act - The US Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 31, 1998, to set forth the procedures for obtaining a solicitation package for the operation of employment and training programs under the Title IV, Part C, of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA IVC).
  The solicitation and all relevant documents, forms, certifications, and assurances is available for download at the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) Internet Home page http://www.dol.gov/dol/vets/.
  Application Deadline: May 1, 1998.
  VETS Address: Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Service Center, Room N5416, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210.
  VETS Contact: Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center; telephone: (202) 219-6445.

• Enhanced-Use Lease of Property at the VAMC, Long Beach, California - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 30, 1998 to designate the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Long Beach, California for an Enhanced-Use Lease development. The Department intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property with the developer whose proposal will provide the most advantageous combination of services and revenue as consideration to the VA while retaining the therapeutic benefit of golf for patients at no cost to VA.
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• POW/MIA Flag Display - The General Services Administration (GSA) published a bulletin in the Federal Register on March 26, 1998 to notify Federal agencies of the implementation guidelines for display of POW/MIA Flag, as provided by of section 1082 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (PL 105-85). This law replaces section 1084 of PL 102-190. Implementation regulations deadline: May 17, 1998.
  Display dates: Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; National POW/MIA Recognition Day (not determined as of the date of this law); Veterans Day, November 11.
  VAMC display dates: At Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers the flag must also be displayed every day the United States flag is displayed.
  GSA Contact: Stanley C. Langfeld, Director, Real Property Policy Division, Office of Real Property; telephone: (202) 501-1737.

• Veterans Education: Reduction in Required Reports – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 25, 1998, that: a veteran would no longer have to submit a monthly verification of pursuit of a program of education if the veteran received an advance payment covering that month or received a lump sum payment for that month; and neither the veteran nor the educational institution would have to report to VA if the veteran is enrolled as a full-time student for a standard term, and either increases or decreases the number of credit hours being pursued without changing his or her full-time student status.
  Effective Date: April 23, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration (202) 273-7187.

• Loan Guaranty: VA-Guaranteed Loans on the Automatic Basis, Withdrawal of Automatic Processing Authority, Record Retention Requirements, and Elimination of Late Reporting Waivers – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 12, 1998, amending loan guaranty regulations in the areas of automatic processing authority, late reporting, and record retention requirements.
  1. The criteria used to approve non-supervised lenders to process VA-guaranteed loans on the automatic basis are revised to reduce the experience requirements for lenders and their underwriters.
  2. If a lender does not report the loan within 60 days following full disbursement, its report must be accompanied by a signed statement certifying that the loan is current and offering an explanation for the late reporting.
  3. Lenders are now required to retain all loan origination records for at least two years from the date of loan closing. The previous requirement was one year.
  E ffective Date: April 13, 1998.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-7368.

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Availability of Annual Report – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 12, 1998, that the Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Special Medical Advisory Group for Fiscal Year 1997 has been issued. The report summarizes activities of the Group relative to the care and treatment of disabled veterans and other matters pertinent to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. It is available for public inspection at two locations: (1) Federal Documents Section, Exchange and Gift Division, LM 632, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540; and (2) Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, VA Central Office, Room 811, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W, Washington, DC 20420.

• Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 12, 1998, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War will meet on May 4th through 6th, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. On May 4th, the meeting will be held in Room 930 and on both May 5th and 6th, the meeting will be held in Room 630. Each day the meeting will convene at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
  The agenda for May 4th will include an update on the eight issues and five recommendations made to the Secretary on ways to help VA improve services to our POW community since the last meeting.
  The agenda on May 5th will include general business and a presentation of POW issues by the administrative and medical subcommittee of the Advisory Committee.
  Contact: Ms. Krsitine Moffitt, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• VA Acquisition Regulations: Sealed Bidding and Competitive Proposals – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 11, 1998, to bring certain VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) at 48 CFR 806.401 in line with in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) relative to the term ``simplified acquisition threshold.''
  The FAR now allows the use of the simplified acquisition procedures of FAR Part 13 for acquisitions of non-commercial items not exceeding $100,000 and for acquisitions of commercial items not exceeding $5,000,000. There appears to be no reason for having a VAAR threshold requiring sealed bids for contracts at lower monetary amounts than the FAR provides.
  Comment Deadline: May 11, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI99.''
  Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8819.

• Delegations of Authority--Decisionmaking Regarding Discrimination – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 6, 1998, relative to medical regulations to provide (or to pay for the provision of) necessary medical treatment to certain human subjects injured as a result of participation in VA research. Under the final rule all participants in research approved by a VA Research and Development Committee (regardless of source of funding), and conducted under the supervision of one or more VA employees, are eligible for treatment unless injuries are due to noncompliance by a research subject with study procedures. VA will provide medical care in those circumstances where VA has some responsibility for the need for medical care.
  Effective Date: March 6, 1998.
  Contact: John W. Klein, Assistant General Counsel (024); telephone: 202-273-6380.

• Compensation for Certain Undiagnosed Illnesses – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 6, 1998, amending adjudication regulations regarding compensation for disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses suffered by Persian Gulf Veterans. This amendment is necessary to expand the period within which such disabilities must become manifest to a compensable degree in order for entitlement for compensation to be established. The intended effect of this amendment is to ensure that veterans with compensable disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses that may be related to active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War may qualify for benefits.
  Effective Date: March 6, 1998.
  Applicability Date: November 2, 1994.
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7230.

February 1998

• Reconsideration of Denied Claims – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 27, 1998, to amend VA ``Medical'' regulations by adding a new section to set forth reconsideration procedures available if requested by an individual or entity who made a claim for benefits administered by the Veterans Health Administration and who disagrees with the initial decision denying the claim. It is anticipated that these procedures would not only allow for more reflective decisions at the local level but would also allow some disputes to be resolved without the need for further appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals.
  Comment Deadline: April 28, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AJ03.''
  VA Contact: Troy L. Baxley, Health Administration Service (10C3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8301.

• Gulf War Information Collection Extension – The Department of Defense (DoD) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 26, 1998, extending a public information collection that was submitted by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses for emergency review and approved in concept on November 21, 1997.
  The information collection is necessary to facilitate the investigation of possible, positive M256A1 chemical warfare agent detections at different dates and locations in the Kuwait Theater of Operations. The information collected will be used to determine which Gulf War units and Veterans may have further information about these incidents, to discover if there any other observed detections, to contribute to a better understanding of the events during and after the Gulf War, and to encourage Veterans to enroll in a Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs medical program.
  Comment Deadline: April 27, 1998.
  Address: Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Suite 901, Falls Church, VA 22041, Attn: Lieutenant Colonel Art Nalls.
  Contact: Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses; telephone: (703)-578-8500.

• Advisory Committee on the Future of VA Long-Term Care – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 23, 1998, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on the Future of VA Long-Term Care will meet on February 26-27, 1998, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Room 230, located at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC..
  The purpose of the Committee is to provide professional advice on the present scope and structure of VA's long-term care services, and about changes necessary to ensure that services are available and effective in a future healthcare setting.
  Contact: Ms. Jacqueline Holmes, Program Assistant, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group; telephone: (202) 273-8539.

• Computer Matching Program – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 19, 1998, that VA intends to conduct a recurring computer matching program matching Department of Justice, Bureau of Prison (BOP), inmate records with VA pension, compensation, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) records.
  The goal of this match is to identify incarcerated veterans and beneficiaries who are receiving VA benefits, and to reduce or terminate benefits, if appropriate. The match will include records of current VA beneficiaries.
  Estimated Start Date: April 1, 1998.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management 02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  VA Contact: Paul Trowbridge (213B), Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• HHS Poverty Guidelines – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 24, 1998, updating the HHS poverty guidelines to account for last (calendar) year's increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
  The notice defines the term ‘income’ to include "veterans’ payments and government employee pensions (including military retirement pay)."
  Effective Date: February 24, 1998 [date of publication].
  Address: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Room 438F, Humphrey Building, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Washington, DC 20201.
  HHS Contact: For general information about the poverty guidelines (but NOT for information about a particular program) contact Gordon Fisher, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Room 438F, Humphrey Building, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201; telephone: (202) 690-6141.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Amendment of Systems of Records – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 12, 1998, that VA has decided, as a matter of policy, to provide direct, on-line, remote access to its automated medical treatment and benefits records to certain employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) who need to have access to the information contained in the records in order for them to make decisions about veterans' benefits (medical care and other benefits) in a more timely and efficient manner.
  Effective Date: February 12, 1998
  VBA Contact: Bill Lanson, Legal Consultant, Compensation & Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7267.
  VHA Contact: Celia Winter, Privacy Act Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6274.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 11, 1998, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet at the Wyndham Garden Hotel--Buckhead, 3340 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
  Thursday the Committee will discuss ways to strengthen the Montgomery G.I. Bill program and ways to increase usage of the program. Friday the Committee will conduct a field hearing with the Southern Region, Education Advocacy Committee for Veterans, to receive suggestions and recommendations.
  Contact: Mr. Bill Susling, Education Policy and Program Administration, prior to February 26, 1998; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Loan Guaranty: Percentage To Determine Net Value – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 11, 1998, to inform participants in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guaranty program of the percentage to be used in determining whether the Secretary will accept conveyance of a foreclosed property. The new percentage is 13.97 percent.
  VA will subtract 13.97 percent from the fair market value of the property to be foreclosed in order to arrive at the ``net value'' of the property to VA. This new percentage will be used in ``net value'' calculations made by VA on and after [date of publication], the date the new percentage was provided to VA field stations for use in these calculations.
  Effective Date: February 11, 1998
  Contact: Mr. Leonard A. Levy, Assistant Director for Loan and Property Management (261), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7344.

• Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice of the scheduled meetings of the Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee in the Federal Register on February 6, 1998. The subjects include: Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Endocrinology, Surgery, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Nephrology, Gastroenterology , Immunology , Respiration, Hematology , Neurobiology, Cardiovascular Studies, General Medical Science, Infectious Diseases , Oncology , and Medical Research Service Merit Review. These meetings will be for the purpose of evaluating the scientific merit of research conducted in each speciality by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) investigators working in VA Medical Centers and Clinics.
  Contact: Dr. LeRoy Frey, Chief, Program Review Division, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 275-6634.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 4, 1998, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17, 1998, at VA Headquarters, Room 930, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC The March 16 session will convene at 8:00 a.m. and adjourn at 4 p.m. and the March 17 session will convene at 8:00 a.m. and adjourn at 12:00 noon.
  The meeting's agenda will include: briefings by the National Program Directors of the Special Disabilities Programs, a briefing of the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) model, and a status report on implementation of the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 as it pertains to the legislative requirement to maintain capacity to meet specialized needs of disabled veterans.
  Contact: Kathy Pessagno, Veterans Health Administration (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, prior to March 9, 1998; telephone: (202) 273-8512.

• Federal Government Participation in the Automated Clearing House – The Department of the Treasury published a notice in the Federal Register on February 2, 1998, proposing to revise its regulation governing the use of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system by Federal agencies. The Service expects to introduce up to 600 million new transactions into the ACH system by January 1, 1999. The Service anticipates that the ACH system will provide the dominant, though not exclusive, EFT system used by Federal agencies. Part 210 will provide the regulatory foundation for use of the ACH system by Federal agencies.
  Comments Deadline: May 4, 1998.
  Treasury Address: Cynthia L. Johnson, Director, Cash Management Policy and Planning Division, Financial Management Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Room 420, 401 14th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20227.
  Treasury Contact: Diana Shevlin, Financial Program Specialist, at (202) 874-7032; Donna Wilson, Financial Program Specialist, at (202) 874-6799; Christine Ricci, Senior Analyst, or Cynthia L. Johnson, Director, Cash Management Policy and Planning Division, at (202) 874-6590; or Natalie H. Diana, Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 874-6827.

• Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Veterans – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 2, 1998, that the Advisory Committee on Readjustment of Veterans will meet on February 19 and 20, 1998, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at The American Legion, Washington Office, 1608 K Street, NW, Washington, DC.
  The agenda for February 19 will include: a review of Committee special projects and pending reports, a review of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Centers, an update on the transition of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to a outpatient managed health care system, and a discussion of VA special emphasis programs in relation to managed health care principles.
  The agenda for February 20 will include a review of the programs and activities of VHA's medical center-based post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse programs, access to care problems for minority and other high risk veterans, and issues related to compensation and pension for PTSD.
  Contact: Alfonso R. Batres, Ph.D., M.SW, Director, Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs; telephone: (202) 273-8967.

January 1998

• Grant Applications for Rural Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Project - The US Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) announced a grant competition for Homeless Veterans Reintegration Projects in the Federal Register on January 21, 1998, to solicit projects to provide eligible homeless veterans with employment, training, supportive and transitional housing assistance. Under this solicitation, VETS expects to award up to five grants in FY 1998; up to $300,000 will be available for grant awards. The information and forms contained in the Supplementary Information Section of this announcement, in the Federal Register, constitute the official application package for this Solicitation.
  Application Deadline: March 2, 1998.
  Address: US Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference SGA 98-02, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210.
  VETS Contact: Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, telephone (202) 219-6445.

• Grant Applications for Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Project - The US Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) announced a grant competition for Homeless Veterans Reintegration Projects in the Federal Register on January 21, 1998, to solicit projects to provide eligible homeless veterans with employment, training, supportive and transitional housing assistance. Under this solicitation, VETS expects to award up to twenty grants in FY 1998; up to $2.25 million will be available for grant awards. The information and forms contained in the Supplementary Information Section of this announcement, in the Federal Register, constitute the official application package for this Solicitation.
  Application Deadline: February 23, 1998.
  Address: US Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Lisa Harvey, Reference SGA 98-01, Room N-5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210.
  VETS Contact: Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, telephone (202) 219-6445.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 21, 1998, providing an effective date of July 24, 1997, for VAOPGCPREC 28-97.

• Cemetery Vandalism Sentence Enhancement – The US Sentencing Commission (USSC) published a proposed amendment in the Federal Register, January 6, 1998, to provide a sentence enhancement of not less than two levels for any offense against the property of a national cemetery. A national cemetery is a cemetery established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Departments of the Army, Navy or Air Force, and the Department of the Interior.
  Comment Deadline: March 12, 1998.
  Address: United States Sentencing Commission, One Columbus Circle, NE, Suite 2-500, Washington, DC 20002-8002, Attention: Public Information.
  Public Hearing: March 12, 1998, at the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, One Columbus Circle, NE, Washington, DC 20002-8002
  USSC Contact: Michael Courlander, Public Information Specialist, Telephone: (202) 273-4590.

• Active Military Service Certified Under Section 401 of Public Law 95-202 - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 6, 1998, to amend VA adjudication regulations to consider as active military service in the Armed Forces of the United States the World War II service of two groups: (1) US Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Northeast Airlines Atlantic Division, who served overseas as a result of Northeast Airlines' contract with the Air Transport Command during the period December 7, 1941, through August 14, 1945 and (2) US Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Braniff Airways, who served overseas in the North Atlantic or under the jurisdiction of the North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command (ATC), as a result of a contract with the ATC during the period February 26, 1942, through August 14, 1945.
  Effective Date: June 2, 1997
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Minimum Income Annuity – The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 6, 1998, to amend VA adjudication regulations to provide for payment of the minimum income annuity, authorized by Public Law 92-425, §4, as amended, to certain surviving spouses of military retirees who died on or before March 20, 1974. Section 638 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (PL 104-201 §638) transfered the responsibility for paying this benefit from the Department of Defense (DoD) to VA; however, DoD remains responsible for funding this benefit and determining basic eligibility.
  Effective Date: January 6, 1997
  Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

December 1997

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of Practice--Attorney Fee Matters - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 09 DE 97, to amend the Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) to discontinue VA's paying attorney fees from past-due benefits, establish safeguards in the case of ``disinterested third-party'' payers, and simplify certain notice procedures.
  Effective Date: December 15, 1997.
  Comments Deadline: February 9, 1998.
  Mail or hand deliver written comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI98''.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Chief Counsel, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Guidelines for Furnishing Sensori-neural Aids (e.g., Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, Hearing Aids) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 09 DE 97, affirming Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning when VA will furnish veterans with sensori-neural aids (e.g., eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids), which implement a requirement imposed in the Veteran's Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-262.
  Effective Date: This final rule is effective December 9, 1997.
  Contact: Frederick Downs, Jr., Chief Consultant, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Strategic Healthcare Group (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone (202) 273-8515.

• Veterans Education: Approval of Correspondence Programs or Courses - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 03 DE 97, to amend the regulations concerning approval of programs of education pursued by of correspondence. A number of changes are made to conform to statutory changes. The regulations are also amended to require that the educational institution offering a correspondence program or course certify to the State approving agency (SAA) that at least 50 percent of those pursuing the program or course require six months or more to complete it based on the six-month period immediately preceding the educational institution's application for approval. The regulations are also amended to expressly provide that the SAA may periodically review the program or course approvals already granted and that this determination would be based on the records of the school for a two-year period reasonably related to the date on which such review is conducted. Further, the requirement that the program or course must require not less than six hours preparation per week over any 26-week period is deleted, and related requirements for SAAs are changed. In addition, this document clarifies that the provisions concerning enrollments in the program or course apply not only to eligible veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses, but also to reservists.
  Effective Date: January 2, 1998.
  Contact: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting Cancellation - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on 03 DE 97 giving notice that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to be held on December 8, 1997, through December 10, 1997, in Washington, DC, is hereby canceled.
  Contact: Mr. Anthony Hawkins. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

• Veterans Education: Increased Allowances for the Educational Assistance Test Program - The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on 03 DE 97 to increase the rates of subsistence allowance and educational assistance payable under the Educational Assistance Test Program by 6% over the rates payable for the 1996-97 academic year.
  Effective Date: December 3, 1997
  Contact: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone (202) 273-7187.

• Enhanced-Use Lease of Property at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home, Tennessee - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on 02 DE 97 to designate the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home, Tennessee, for an Enhanced-Use Lease development with the State of Tennessee (through the East Tennessee State University--ETSU), in order to transfer the long-term maintenance and development responsibilities of 31 acres of land (including 9 buildings) to the State of Tennessee. As consideration for the long-term use of VA's capital assets, VA will receive a combination of benefits: the cost avoidance and/or revenue generation which will result in more operational funding being available for direct patient care. VA will also receive the benefit of an improved affiliation as the result of greatly improved medical school facilities.
  Contact: Bob Eidson, Capital Assets Manager, Office of the Director (00B), James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at Mountain Home (Johnson City), TN 37684; telephone: (423)-926-1171, extension 7112.

• Loan Guaranty: Requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans - The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on 01 DE 97 concerning the requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans (IRRRLs). The final rule rescinds the interim final rule published 08 OC 97. VA intends to publish a proposed rule to address the same issues that were addressed in the interim final rule. Further, the comments received in response to the interim final rule will be considered in the new rulemaking proceeding.
  Effective Date: December 1, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a summary of legal interpretations, issued by VA's General Counsel, involving veterans' benefits, in the Federal Register on 01 DE 97. These interpretations are considered precedential, and will be followed by VA in future claim matters.
  • VAOPGCPREC 22-97: refusal to participate in the Electronic Funds Transfer Program
  • VAOPGCPREC 23-97: multiple ratings under diagnostic codes 5003 and 5257
  • VAOPGCPREC 24-97: §1151 blindness and eligibility for special housing adaptation grant
  • VAOPGCPREC 25-97: garnished military retired pay as countable income for Pension
  • VAOPGCPREC 26-97: PTSD effective dates
  • VAOPGCPREC 27-97: naval service as service in the Republic of Vietnam
  • VAOPGCPREC 28-97: eligibility for supplemental Service Disabled Veterans Insurance
  • VAOPGCPREC 29-97: applicability of 38 C.F.R. 3.105(e) to cases subject to the special settlement review under the provisions of the October 15, 1993, Stipulation and Order in Fernando Giusti Bravo, et al v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, et al
  • VAOPGCPREC 30-97: special monthly compensation and disarticulation of the hips
  • VAOPGCPREC 31-97: erroneous effective dates and reduction of rating decisions
  • VAOPGCPREC 32-97: computing service-connected hearing loss
  • VAOPGCPREC 33-97: trust assets as countable income for Pension purposes
  • VAOPGCPREC 34-97: purchasing a computer/related materials for recreational activities
  Contact: Jane L. Lehman, Chief, Law Library, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

November 1997

• Grants to States for Construction or Acquisition of State Home Facilities - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 13 NO 97, to amend the `` priority ranking system for applications for grants to States for the construction or acquisition of State home facilities. This final rule provides that if the lowest ranking grant application receives only a partial grant in a fiscal year and if such grant award is partial solely because VA has insufficient funds for a full grant, the application would be placed at the top of the list within its priority group for the next fiscal year.
  Effective Date: December 15, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. Kathleen Greve, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8534 .

• Advisory Committee Meetings - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on 13 NO 97 giving notice that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet from Monday, 08 DE 97 through Wednesday, 10 DE, in room 230, VA Central Office.
  Contact: Crystal Lawrence-Greenwell, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708, prior to 05 DE 97 to attend.

• Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 10 NO 97, to place deadlines for submitting the certifications needed for both periodic payments and lump-sum deferred-incentive payments under the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act (SMOCTA). Since the Act has a sunset provision, all work for which payments are due has been completed. This proposal would allow VA to close the administration of SMOCTA.
  Send comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI85''.
  Comments Deadline: January 9, 1998.
  Contact: Ms. June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187 .

• Fort Sill National Cemetery: Line Item Veto - The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a notice in the Federal Register, 04 NO 97, pursuant to Line Item Veto Act, canceling $900 thousand for planning a new national cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma [page 90 of House Report 105-297, dated October 6, 1997].
  Citation: Cancellation No. 97-65.

• Survivors and Dependents Education: Extension of Eligibility Period - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 04 NO 97, to amended the ``Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35'' regulations. This document corrects an error contained in the rule published by VA on 30 OC 97, by changing the cross-references to refer to the new Sec. 21.3047.
  Effective Date: November 4, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187 .

October 1997

• MGIB Rate Increase - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 30 OC 97, to adjust the monthly rates of basic educational assistance payable to veterans and servicemembers under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty. In accordance with the statutory formula, the regulations governing rates of basic educational assistance payable under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty for fiscal year 1998 (October 1, 1997, through September 30, 1998) are changed to show a 2.8% increase in these rates.
  Effective Date: October 30, 1997. [However, the changes in rates are applied retroactively to conform to statutory requirements.]
  Contact: Ms. June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Semiannual Regulatory Agenda - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda in the Federal Register, 29 OC 97.

• Informed Consent for Patient Care - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 17 OC 97, to amend VA medical regulations concerning informed consent for patient care. It describes the requirements for obtaining and documenting informed consent. It also describes the types of treatments or procedures for which the patient's or surrogate's signature on a VA-authorized form is required and establishes a list and priority of surrogates authorized to act on behalf of patients who lack decision-making capacity. Further, it establishes an internal decision-making process for patients who lack decision-making capacity and who have no authorized surrogate. This is intended to protect patient rights and ensure that the patient (or the patient's surrogate or representative) receives sufficient information to make an informed health-care decision.
  Effective Date: November 17, 1997.
  Mail or hand deliver written comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI16.''
  Comments Deadline: December 8, 1997.
  Contact: Ruth-Ann Phelps, Ph.D., Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services (11B), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8473 .

• Advisory Committee Charter Renewals - The Department of Veterans Affairs published three notices in the Federal Register on Friday, 10 OC 97 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (PL 92-463; 5 USC App), renewing several Committee charters for two years:
  • Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; chartered, through September 26, 1999.
  • Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; chartered through August 29, 1999.
  • Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; chartered through September 30, 1999.
  Contact: Heyward Bannister, Committee Management Office; telephone: (202) 273-4838 .

• Loan Guaranty: Requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register, 08 OC 97, to amend VA loan guaranty regulations concerning the requirements for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans (IRRRLs). Generally, the rule would limit IRRRLs to instances where the veteran's monthly mortgage payment will decrease, and by requiring that the loans being refinanced be current in their payments. This action is necessary to ensure that these loans are made only when they provide a real benefit to the veteran, and to protect the financial interest of the Government.
  Effective Date: October 8, 1997. Send comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI92.''
  Comments Deadline: December 8, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368 .

• Appeals Regulations: Remand for Further Development - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 08 OC 97, to change the circumstances in which the Board of Veterans Appeals (Board) must remand a case to the VA field facility with original jurisdiction. The rule would require the Board to remand a case to the agency of original jurisdiction (usually one of VA's 58 regional offices), but would specify that the Board need not remand a case to clarify procedural matters before the Board, such as the choice of representative, the issues on appeal, or requests for hearings before the Board. The changes help avoid unnecessary remands.
  Effective Date: October 8, 1997.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Chief Counsel, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978 .

• Reporting Health Care Professionals to State Licensing Boards - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a rule in the Federal Register, 08 OC 97, proposing to report to State Licensing Boards any currently employed physician, dentist, or other licensed health care professional (on VA rolls) whose clinical practice so significantly failed to meet generally accepted standards of clinical practice during VA employment as to raise reasonable concern for the safety of patients. Also, this document proposes to clarify that to be ``on VA rolls'' means on VA rolls regardless of the status of the health care professional, including full-time, part-time, contract service, fee-basis, or without compensation.
  Mail or hand deliver written comments to: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AI16.''
  Comments Deadline: December 8, 1997.
  Contact: Ruth-Ann Phelps, Ph.D., Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services (11B), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8473.

• Child Support Enforcement - The Department of Health and Human Services published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 07 OC 97, to require State and Federal entities to furnish certain income and employment data to the National Directory of New Hires or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for inclusion in the Federal Parent Locator Service, a computerized network through which States may request information from Federal and State agencies to find noncustodial parents and/or their employers for purposes of establishing paternity and securing support.
  Comments Deadline: December 8, 1997.
  Address: Send comments to Director, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 4th floor, Washington, DC 20447. Attention: Director, Policy and Planning Division, Mail Stop: OCSE/DPP. HHS Contact: Anne Benson, Policy Branch, OCSE; telephone: (202) 401-1467, e-mail: abenson@acf.dhhs.gov. Deaf and hearing-impaired individuals may call the federal Dual Party Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Eastern time.

• Disinterments From National Cemeteries - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register, 03 OC 97, to amend regulations concerning national cemetery disinterments. Current regulations permit disinterment only with the consent of immediate family members. For purposes of national cemetery disinterments, the regulation defines immediate family members to include the interred's surviving spouse whether or not the spouse has remarried.
  Effective Date: November 3, 1997,
  Contact: Mr. Ken Greenberg, Program Analyst, or Mrs. Sonja McCombs, Program Analyst, Communications Division (402B1), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-5179 or (202) 273-5183.

• Survivors and Dependents Education: Extension of Eligibility Period - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register, 03 OC 97, to amend the educational assistance and educational benefit regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It restores provisions that govern the extension of the period eligible spouses and surviving spouses have to use Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).
  Effective Date: October 3, 1997,
  Contact: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration. Telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless - The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a notice in the Federal Register, 03 OC 97, to identify unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
  Contact: Mark Johnston, room 7256, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-1226; TDD number for the hearing-and speech-impaired (202) 708-2565 (these telephone numbers are not toll-free).

• Persian Gulf Expert Scientific Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register, 29 SE 97, that the VA Persian Gulf Expert Scientific Committee will meet on November 17 - 18, 1997.
  Location: 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, Room 230.
  Agenda: Presentations on Depleted Uranium and a Follow-up on ill Persian Gulf Veterans, Chemical/Biological Agents, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Leishmania.
  Contact: Executive Secretary, Office of Public Health & Environmental Hazards, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

September 1997

• Enhanced-Use Development at the VAMC, North Little Rock, AR - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register, 29 SE 97, designating the VA Medical Center at North Little Rock, Arkansas, for an Enhanced-Use lease development. The Department intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property with the developer whose proposal will provide the most advantageous combination of services and revenue as consideration to the VA while retaining the therapeutic benefit of golf for patients at no cost to the Department.
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Spina Bifida - The Department of Veterans Affairs published three final rules in the Federal Register, 30 SE 97, relative to the provision of benefits to certain children of Vietnam veterans with spina bifida: (1) Monetary Allowance; (2) Health Care; and (3) Vocational Training and Rehabilitation.
  Effective Date: October 1, 1997.
  Contact:
  1. Monetary Allowance: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.
  2. Health Care: Robert De Vesty, Health Systems Specialist, Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards (13), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8575.
  3. Vocational Training and Rehabilitation: Charles A. Graffam, Veterans Claims Examiner, Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Service (28), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7410.

• Collection of Information: Department of Defense M256A1 Outreach - The Department of Defense published a notice in the Federal Register, 24 SE 97, to facilitate the investigation of possible, positive M256A1 chemical warfare agent detections in the Kuwait Theater of Operations. The information will be used to determine which Gulf War units and veterans may have further information about these incidents, discover if there were any other observed detections, contribute to a better understanding of the events during and after the Gulf War, and encourage enrollment in a DoD or VA clinical program. Respondents are Gulf War veterans who are not serving on active duty and whose units were in the vicinity of the detection.
  Contact: Mr. Robert Cushing at OSD/WHS/DIOR, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302; fax: (703) 604-6270; telephone: (703) 604-4582.

• Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register, 22 SE 97, that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) propose to conduct a computer matching program to locate taxpayers who owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their participation in benefit programs (including health care) administered by VA. Once located, VA will pursue collection of debts through voluntary payments. If such payments are not forthcoming, VA may seek involuntary collection under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982.
  Effective Date: The matching program is expected to begin on or about October 22, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Fed. Bldg., 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, MN 55111, (612) 725-1844.

• Meeting: Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, 25 SE 97, that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will be held at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Employee Education System, Birmingham Center, Suite 500, 950 North 22nd Street, Birmingham, AL 35203, from October 15, through October 17, 1997. Each day the meeting will convene at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
  Agenda: The agenda for October 15 will include medical research being done related to former prisoners of war. On October 17, the Acting Under Secretary of Benefits will provide comments to the Committee.
  Contact: Ms. Kristine Moffitt, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Veterans Education: Reduction in Required Reports - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 18 SE 97, to change the nature of the information to be reported by veterans and servicemembers receiving educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty program and the number of reports required of educational institutions in which these veterans and servicemembers are enrolled. The intention is to streamline program operations and reduce the information collection burden for this program, while maintaining the program's integrity.
  Comments Deadline: November 17, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Electronic Funds Transfer - The Department of the Treasury published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 16 SE 97, to require conversion of all Federal payments (other than IRS) from checks to electronic funds transfer (EFT) in two phases. Phase one began July 26, 1996. All recipients who become eligible to receive Federal payments on or after that date are required to receive such payments by EFT unless the recipient certifies in writing that the recipient does not have either an account with a financial institution or an authorized payment agent. Phase two begins January 2, 1999.
  Public Hearings: Dallas on October 14, 1997, New York City on October 27, 1997, and Baltimore on October 30, 1997. Requests to speak at one of the three public hearings must be received 14 days before the date of that hearing.
  Effective Date: January 1, 1999.
  Comments Deadline: December 16, 1997.
  Address: Cynthia L. Johnson, Director, Cash Management Policy and Planning Division, Financial Management Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Room 420, 401 14th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20227.
  Treasury Contact: Robyn Schulhof, Financial Program Specialist: (202) 874-6754; Diana Shevlin, Financial Program Specialist: (202) 874-7032; Cynthia L. Johnson, Director, Cash Management Policy and Planning Division: (202) 874-6590; Sally Phillips, Senior Financial Program Specialist: (202) 874-6749; Margaret Marquette, Attorney-Advisor: (202) 219-3320; or Natalie Diana, Attorney-Advisor: (202) 874-6827.

August 1997

• Acquisition of Commercial Items and Small Entity Compliance Guide - The General Services Administration (GSA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 21 AG 97, to revise the GSA Acquisition Regulation to implement the portions of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-355) dealing with the Truth in Negotiations Act, and with the acquisition of commercial items.
  Effective Date: For solicitations issued on or after August 21, 1997, use of the new policies, provisions and clauses is optional for solicitations issued before December 19, 1997, and mandatory for subsequent solicitations issued on or after December 19, 1997.
  GSA Contact: Al Matera, Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration; telephone: (202) 501-1224.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Postal Service - VA published a notice in the Federal Register, 20 AG 97, that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) propose to conduct an 18-month computer matching program to identify USPS employees who owe delinquent debts to VA. VA will pursue collection through voluntary payments; if unsuccessful, USPS may offset up to 15 percent of the employees' disposable pay, under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982.
  A copy of this notice has been provided to Congress and OMB.
  Effective Date: September 19, 1997 [anticipated], with provision for a one-year extension.
  Comments Deadline: September 19, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota 55111; telephone: (612) 725-1844.

• Brownfields Showcase Communities - The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice in the Federal Register, 20 AG 97, soliciting statements of interest from communities interested in being designated as Brownfields Showcase Communities.
  Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underused industrial/commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination. The Brownfields Initiative was launched to empower States, local governments, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together to assess, clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A partnership of Federal agencies with interests in brownfields redevelopment has been formed that will offer special technical, financial and other assistance to selected communities. VA is a participating agency.
  Comments Deadline: September 19, 1997.
  Address: Address Statements of Interest to Gayle Rice or Sven-Erik Kaiser, U.S. EPA (5101), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.
  Contact: Gayle Rice, 202-260-8431 or Sven-Erik Kaiser, 202-260-5138. Internet address: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields.

• Presidential Management Intern Program - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register, 20 AG 97, revising its regulations to clarify the nomination, selection, and employment procedures of the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program. The revised regulations also clarify that PMI's do not serve probation when converted to career or career-conditional appointments.
  The Program is designed to attract outstanding individuals from diverse academic disciplines, interested in public policy/program analysis and management, to Federal service.

• Enhanced-Use Development at the VAMC, Durham, NC - Notice published in the Federal Register, 15 AG 97. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property to a developer to finance and maintain a mixed-use development. As part of the development, the Durham Medical Center would receive space or facilities for primary care, research, and additional parking at no capital cost to VA.
  Contact: Mr. Anatolij Kushnir, Director, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Facilities Management, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Enhanced-Use Development at the VAMC, Portland, OR - Notice published in the Federal Register, 15 AG 97. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease of real property with the Vancouver (WA) Housing Authority. The Housing Authority will establish a 501(C)(3) corporation which will finance, design, construct, and manage a Single Room Occupancy facility of 126 single room units and studio apartments. 63 beds (50%) of the facility will be designated as veteran preference, to provide affordable housing for homeless veterans with occupants to be referred and case managed by the VAMC.
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Asset and Enterprise Development Office (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Enhanced-Use Development at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC, Indianapolis, IN - Notice published in the Federal Register, 11 AG 97. VA intends to enter into a 35-year lease of real property to a developer. As part of the development, the Department will be seeking to obtain skilled nursing home care services and other ``in-kind'' considerations, as well as promoting the sharing of services.
  Contact: Renee Badey, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Personnel and Accounting Pay System-VA - Notice published in the Federal Register 01 AG 97 that VA is adding a new routine use to the system of records entitled ``Personnel and Accounting Pay System--VA''. This system of records contains information on current and former salaried VA employees. VA is in the process of upgrading its human resources and payroll delivery system, some aspects of which must be accomplished by private contractors and their employees. In some instances, contractors will also be able to offer services that VA personnel could not offer. VA has determined that the release of information for this purpose is a necessary and proper use of the information in this system of records and that the new specific routine use for transfer of this information is appropriate.
  An altered system of records report and a copy of the revised system notice have been sent to the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) and guidelines issued by OMB (61 FR 6428 February 20, 1996).
  Comments Deadline: 01 SE 97.
  Effective Date: 02 SE 97.
  Contact: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 2042; (202) 273-8605.

July 1997

• Payment for Non-VA Physician Services Provided at Non-VA Facilities - A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register, 22 JY 97, concerning payment for non-VA physician services that are associated with either outpatient or inpatient care provided to eligible VA beneficiaries at non-VA facilities. VA would pay the lesser of the actual billed charge or the service specific reimbursement amount calculated under Medicare's Participating Physician Fee Schedule. Absent such a calculation, VA would pay the amount calculated under a 75th percentile formula or, in certain limited circumstances, the usual and customary rate. The regulations would specify that VA payment constitutes payment in full.
  Comments Deadline: 22 SE 97.
  Contact: Abby O'Donnell, Health Administration Service (161A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8307.

• Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - Notice was published in the Federal Register, 15 JY 97, summarizing legal interpretations issued by the General Counsel. The issues include:
  • application of amendments to the schedule of ratings for mental disorders to pending benefit claims,
  • attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act
  • individual unemployability
  • compensation for injuries sustained only as a result of pursuing vocational rehabilitation training to achieve employability,
  • interest payments as countable income for pension purposes,
  • reduction of the clothing allowance to incarcerated veterans, and payment of accrued benefits,
  • payment for tuition, fees and miscellaneous expenses under chapter 31,
  • herbicide-presumptive service-connection of cancers resulting from metastasis,
  • service-connection for tobacco-related disability/death as secondary to service-onset nicotine dependence,
  • definition of "constitutionally psychopathic" and parameters of insanity, revenue from gaming activity on tribal trust property as income for pension purposes.
  Contact: Jane Lehman, Chief, Law Library, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

• Loan Guaranty - A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register 15 JY 97 to amend loan guaranty regulations in several areas:
  • eliminate the lender requirement for late reporting waivers,
  • extend the loan origination record-retention requirement to two years from the date of closing,
  • reduce the experience requirements for lenders and their underwriters, making it easier to qualify for automatic-processing authority, and
  • require annual recertification of lenders and provision for withdrawal of automatic authority from lenders who fail to meet recertification criteria.
  Affects 38 CFR Part 36--Loan Guaranty; §36.4303 Reporting requirements, §36.4330 Maintenance of records, §36.4348 Authority to close loans on the automatic basis, and §36.4349 Withdrawal of authority to close loans on the automatic basis.
  Contact: Ms. Judy Caden (264) Loan Guaranty Service Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368.

• Servicemen's and Veterans' Group Life Insurance - A final rule was published in the Federal Register 03 JY 97, to amend VA regulations to reflect the merger of the Retired Reservist Servicemen's Group Life Insurance (RR SGLI) program into the VGLI program; to reflect the extension of VGLI coverage to members separating from the Ready Reserve; and to rename the SGLI program as ``Servicemembers'' Group Life Insurance.''
  Effective Date: July 3, 1997.
  Contact: Jeanne Derrick, Insurance Program Administration and Oversight Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, PA; telephone: (215) 842-2000 x 4277.

• Appeals Regulations: Remand for Further Development - A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register 03 JY 97, which would change the appeals regulations of the Board of Veterans' Appeals regarding the circumstances in which the Board must remand a case to the VA field facility with original jurisdiction in the case. The intent is to avoid unnecessary remands. (Comments must be received on or before 04 AG 97.)
  Affects: 38 CFR §19.9 Remand for further development
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Chief Counsel, Board of Veterans' Appeals, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Minimum Income Annuity - An interim rule with request for comments was published in the Federal Register 03 JY 97, which would amend adjudication regulations to provide for payment of the minimum income annuity, to certain surviving spouses to reflect statutory revisions contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1997 that transfers the responsibility for paying this benefit from the DoD to VA. (Comments must be received by 02 SE 97.)
  Effective date: July 1, 1997.
  Adds: 38 CFR §3.811 Minimum income annuity.
  Contact: Jack Bisset (213A), Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Submission of School Catalogs to State Approving Agencies - A final rule was published in the Federal Register, 03 JY 97, to implement a provision of PL 102-568, which removed the requirement that schools must submit a catalog or bulletin to the State Approving Agency (SAA) when seeking approval for courses for training under VA-administered education programs.
  Effective Date: July 1, 1997.
  Contact: June Schaeffer (225), Education Service Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Notice of Availability of Biennial Reports - Notice was published in the Federal Register, 03 JY 97, that the biennial Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for 1996, and that the Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Advisory Committee of Minority Veterans for Fiscal Year 1996, have been issued.
  Women Veterans Contact: MaryAnne Carson (00W), Center for Women Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193.
  Minority Veterans Contact: Tony Hawkins (00m), Center for Minority Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

• Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 - A final rule was published in the Federal Register, 03 JY 97, amending certain adjudication regulations, to implement provisions of PL 104-275, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996:
  • the clothing allowance based on certain service-connected disabilities;
  • the dates of the Vietnam era;
  • the payment of benefits to a surviving spouse for the month in which the veteran dies;
  • the period for which accrued benefits are payable; and
  • burial allowance eligibility.
  Effective Date: October 9, 1996, except for amendments to Secs. 3.2(f) and 3.307(a)(6), which are effective January 1, 1997.
  Contact: Jack Bisset (213A), Compensation and Pension Service Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Veterans Education: Approval of Correspondence Programs or Courses - A proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register, 01 JY 97, which would make a number of concerning approval of programs of education pursued exclusively by correspondence and the correspondence portion of correspondence-residence courses for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training. (Comments must be received on or before September 2, 1997.)
  Contact: June Schaeffer (225), Education Service Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Spina Bifida - A proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register, 01 JY 97, which would establish regulations for providing vocational training and rehabilitation to Vietnam veterans' children with spina bifida.
  Comments Deadline: September 2, 1997.
  Effective Date: Public Law 104-204 established an effective date of October 1, 1997.
  Contact: Charles Graffam (28), Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Service Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7410. Effective: 03 JY 1997; however, change in rates applied retroactively.
  Contact: Frederick Downs, Jr., Chief Consultant, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Strategic Healthcare Group (113) , Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8515.

June 1997

• Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups - Notice was published in the Federal Register, 07 JE 97. The Secretary of the Air Force approved veterans status for (1) certain employees of Braniff Airways, who served overseas as a result of a contract with the Air Transport Command from 26 FE 42 - 14 AG 45, and (2) certain employees of Northeast Airlines Atlantic Division, who served overseas as a result of a contract with the Air Transport Command During from 07 DE 41 - 14 AG 45.
  Before an individual can receive any VA benefits, the person must first apply for an Armed Forces Discharge Certificate by filling out a DD Form 2168 and sending it to the following address: AFPC/DPPRP, 550 C St. West, Suite 11, Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4713.
  Note: Upon confirmation of eligibility, the DD Form 214 will be passed to the Awards and Decorations office to determine which ribbons the applicant is eligible to receive. Specific awards (i.e., Silver Star, Purple Heart, etc.) need separate justification.
  USAF Contact: Mr. James Johnston, Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive-3d Floor-EE Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-7002.

• Enhanced-Use Development of the VAMC Mountain Home, TN - Notice published in the Federal Register, 17 JE 97. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease with a private energy developer/producer to develop a new co-generation energy plant that would produce and sell energy to the MC and its partners. In consideration, the MC would receive the benefits of a new state-of-the-art energy plant at no cost to the VA and utilities at discount.
  Contact: Robert Eidson, Capital Assets Manager, Office of the Director (00B), James H. Quillen VAMC Mountain Home, TN; telephone: (423) 926-1171, x.7112 .

• Enhanced-Use Development of the VAMC North Chicago, IL - Notice published in the Federal Register, 17 JE 97. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease with a private energy developer/producer to develop a new co-generation energy plant that would produce and sell energy to the MC and its partners. In consideration, the MC would receive the benefits of a new state-of-the-art energy plant at no cost to the VA and utilities at discount.
  Contact: Edward L. Bradley, III, Portfolio Manager, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Office of Facilities Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307.

• Enhanced-Use Development of the VAMC West Palm Beach, FL - Notice published in the Federal Register, 17 JE 97. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease with a developer to provide a child development center for the children of VAMC employees.
  Contact: Renee Badey, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Office of Facilities Management, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307 .

• Placement of Commercial Antennas on Federal Property - Notice published in the Federal Register, 16 JE 97. The GSA bulletin provides general guidelines and processes for implementation of President Clinton's memorandum of August 10, 1995, entitled ``Facilitating Access to Federal Property for the Siting of Mobile Services,'' and section 704(c) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law 104-104.
  Effective Date: June 11, 1997.
  GSA Contact: Stanley C. Langfeld, Director, Real Property Policy, General Services Administration, (501-1737)
  VA Contact: George Szwarcman, Director, Real Property Management Office (184), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5026 .

• Muscle Injuries - Final Rule published in the Federal Register 03 JE 1997 amends the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (SRD) of muscle injuries to reflect advancements in medical science, and changes in commonly used medical terminology.
  Effective: 03 JY 1997; however, change in rates applied retroactively.
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Regulations Staff (213A), Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230 .

• Guidelines for Sensori-neural Aids - Interim final rule published in the Federal Register 03 JE 1997, pursuant to enactment of the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 (PL 104-262), provides that VA will furnish needed sensori-neural aids (i.e., eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids) to the following veterans:
  • Those with a compensable service-connected disability;
  • Those who are former prisoners of war;
  • Those in receipt of benefits under 38 USC 1151;
  • Those in receipt of increased pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound;
  • Those who have a visual or hearing impairment that resulted from the existence of another medical condition for which the veteran is receiving VA care, or which resulted from treatment of that medical condition;
  • Those with a significant functional or cognitive impairment evidenced by deficiencies in the ability to perform activities of daily living, but not including routinely occurring visual or hearing impairments; and
  • Those visually or hearing impaired so severely that the provision of sensori-neural aids is necessary to permit active participation in their own medical treatment.
  Effective: 03 JY 1997; however, change in rates applied retroactively.
  Contact: Frederick Downs, Jr., Chief Consultant, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Strategic Healthcare Group (113) , Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8515 .

• Claims Based on Aggravation of a Nonservice-Connected Disability - Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register 04 JE 1997 amends VA's adjudication regulations concerning secondary service connection of certain disabilities pursuant to a 1995 CVA decision (Allen v. Brown). The effect will be to compensate veterans for the degree to which the s/c disability aggravated the nsc disability (currently VA only compensated when the secondary nsc condition was entirely caused by the s/c disability).
  Contact: Judith Veres, Consultant, Judicial Review Staff (213C), Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7240 .

• Career Transition Assistance - Final Rule published in the Federal Register 09 JE 1997 requires Federal agencies to develop career transition assistance programs to help employees affected by downsizing obtain other employment, and to give hiring priority to surplus and displaces employees.

May 1997

• Spina Bifida - Regulations are tripartite; VBA, VHA and Voc Rehab. Proposed Rules drafted by VBA and VHA were published in the Federal Register, 01 MY 1997.
  (1) The first proposes to amend VA adjudication regulations to provide for payment of a monetary allowance to the children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida; spina bifida occulta is specifically excluded.
  Comments Deadline: 30 JE 1997
  Amends: 38 CFR §§3.261-3.263, §3.272, and §3.275
  Effective Date: 01 OC 1997.
  VBA Contact: Jack Bissett, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7230.
  (2) The second proposes to establish regulations regarding the provision of health care to the children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida; spina bifida occulta is specifically excluded.
  Comments Deadline: 30 JE 1997
  Amends: 38 CFR part 17; adds §§17.900-17.905
  VHA Contact: Robert DeVesty, Public Health and Environmental Hazards, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; tlephone: (202) 273 8456 .

• Enhanced-Use Development of the VAMC St. Cloud, MN - Notice published in the Federal Register, 27 MY 1997. VA intends to enter into a long-term lease with the City of St. Cloud to operate an existing golf course, construct and operate additional recreation facilities on site, in return for provision of specified no-cost services to VA.
  Approved: 16 MY 1997
  Contact: Jacob Gallun, Office of Asset and Enterprise Development (189), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-4307 .

• Increase in Rates under MGIB--Selected Reserves - Final Rule published in the Federal Register 22 MY 1997 reflects 2.7% increase in the rates of basic educational assistance payable under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve for FY 97. Pursuant to the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (PL 104-275), reservists pursuing cooperative training are now paid at the 100% same rate, not the 80% rate.
  Effective: 22 MY 1997; however, change in rates applied retroactively.
  Contact: June Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187 .

• Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - Notice extending time for submitting grant applications was published in the Federal Register, 23 MY 1997. Applications must be received by VA's Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group no later than 1700 EST, 12 JE 1997. [Applications may not be sent by facsimile.]
  Application Source: Veterans Industries, 10770 North 46th Street (A 400), Tampa, FL 33617-3465; (813) 228-2871.
  Contact: Roger Casey or Theresa Hayes, or Victor Harris, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group (116), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8442.

• Electronic Benefits Transfer; Selection and Designation of Financial Institutions as Financial Agents - Proposed Rule published by the Department of the Treasury in the Federal Register 09 MY 97. PL 104-134 stipulated that all persons receiving non-IRS Federal payments must receive them by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) effective January 1, 1999. Creates a mechanism through which "unbanked" persons in receipt of Federal direct deposit benefit payments through EFT, who do not have an account with a financial institution, may access their funds by use of a debit card that may be used at an Automated Teller Machine or a Point of Sale.
  Comments Deadline: 08 JY 97
  Amends 31 CFR §207--Electronic Benefits Transfer; Designation of Financial Institutions as Financial Agents.
  Department of the Treasury Contact: John P. Galligan, Director, Card Technology Division: (202) 874-6550 or Anne Wallace, Senior Attorney: (202) 874-6681.

• Loan Guaranty: Electronic Payment of Funding Fee - Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register 07 MY 1997. Requires electronic payment of funding fees (including late fees and interest) for VA-guaranteed loans through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) program. Compliance is expected to eliminate lost mail and data errors resulting from manual recording. Cost savings are also anticipated.
  Comments Deadline: 07 JY 97
  Effective 01 JA 98.
  Amends 38 CFR Part 36--Loan Guaranty: §36.4232, §36.4254, and §36.4312.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368 .

• Loan Guaranty: Loan Guaranty Credit Standards - Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register 07 MY 1997. Revises credit standards used by lenders to evaluate the creditworthiness of veteran-borrowers for home loans, by bringing VA regulations in line with mortgage industry changes to the extent appropriate for a government benefit-related mortgage program.
  Comments Deadline: 07 JY 97
  Effective: Publication of Final Rule.
  Amends 38 CFR §36.4337.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), ), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7368, or Jim Hricik, Loan Policy (264), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7374

April 1997

• Compensation for Undiagnosed Illnesses (Persian Gulf) - Interim Rule published in the Federal Register 29 AP 97. Current law allows compensation of Persian Gulf veterans whose undiagnosed illness(s) manifested to a degree of ten percent or more within two years of service in the SW Asia theater of operations. The rule extends the manifestation period through the year 2001.
  Comments Deadline: 30 JE 97
  Effective 02 NO 94.
  Amends 38 CFR §3.317.
  Contact: Jack Bissett, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Cost Comparisons related to Contracting Out - Final Rule published in the Federal Register 15 AP 97. Rule reflects changes made by the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 (PL 104-262) and amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) by removing certain limitations on cost comparisons related to contracting out non-direct patient care activities at VA health-care facilities.
  Effective 15 AP 97.
  Amends 48 CFR Parts 807 and 852.
  Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team (95A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8819.

• Montgomery G.I. Bill Rates - Final Rule sets rates of basic educational assistance payable under the MGIB for FY 1997 (01 OC 96 - 30 SE 97). Rates reflect a 2.7% rate increase.
  Effective 28 MR 97; however, the changes in rates are applied retroactively.
  Amends 38 CFR §21.7136. Authority 38 USC §501(a).
  Contact: June Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Reduction of Debt Through the Performance of Work-Study Services - Final Rule provides for reduction of outstanding VA educational and vocational rehabilitation debts through performance of work-study services.
  Effective 01 MY 97.
  Amends 38 CFR §1.929. Authority 38 USC §501(a).
  Contact: June Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - Notice of Fund Availability was published in the Federal Register, Wednesday, 02 AP 97.
  Authority: 38 CFR §17.700
  Submission Deadline: 15 MY 97.
  Application Source: Veterans Industries, 10770 North 46th Street (A 400), Tampa, FL 33617-3465; (813) 228-2871.
  Contact: Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group (116), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8442.

March 1997

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Cold Injuries - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, March 28, 1997, to revise the evaluation criteria for frozen feet to reflect current medical knowledge about the long-term effects of cold injury.
  Comments Deadline: May 27, 1997.
  Amends 38 CFR §4.13, §4.104. Authority 38 USC §1155.
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Regulations Staff (213A), Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, March 5, 1997, as required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-263), regarding cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs.
  Effective Date: December 1, 1996.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (213B), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Upgraded Discharges - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, March 28, 1997, to make nonsubstantive changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjudication regulations regarding upgraded discharges. The intended effect of these changes is to make the regulations simpler and easier to understand.
  Effective Date: March 28, 1997.
  Contact: Laurence Freiheit, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7252.

February 1997

• Intervertebral Disc Syndrome - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, February 24, 1997, to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities by revising the evaluation criteria for diagnostic code 5293, intervertebral disc syndrome. The intended effect of this amendment is to clarify the criteria to ensure that veterans diagnosed with this condition meet uniform criteria and receive consistent evaluations.
  Comments Deadline: April 25, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are in response to ``RIN 2900-AI22.''
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Consultant, Regulations Staff (213A), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Service Connection of Dental Conditions for Treatment Purposes - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, February 24, 1997, to amend its adjudication regulations for determining service connection of dental conditions for purposes of eligibility for outpatient dental treatment. Current regulations contain overlapping provisions which do not clearly state requirements for service connection, and provide that service connection will be granted for certain dental conditions shown after a "reasonable period of service" without defining what constitutes such a period. We intend to consolidate the information, and replace the term "reasonable period of service" with a precise period of 180 days. We also propose to eliminate redundant material, and to clearly state requirements for service connection for purposes of eligibility for outpatient dental treatment.
  Comments Deadline: April 25, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AH41.''
  Contact: Lorna Fox, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service (213), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7223.

• Spouse and Surviving Spouse - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, February 6, 1997, to amend its adjudication regulations to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral language. The amendments are necessary to conform the adjudication regulations with the VA policy that all of its publications will be stated in a manner that does not seem to preclude benefits for female veterans, dependents or beneficiaries.
  Effective Date: February 6, 1997.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (213), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Dependency and Income - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, February 6, 1997, to amend its adjudication regulations to exclude payments of accrued pension benefits from countable income in determining entitlement to VA improved death pension benefits. This change is needed to implement a decision of the United States Court of Veterans Appeals. The intended effect of this change is to bring the regulations into conformance with the decision of the Court.
  Effective Date: November 29, 1994.
  Contact: Bradley Flohr, Consultant, Program Management, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7241.

• Loan Guaranty: Flood Insurance Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, February 6, 1997, to amend its loan guaranty regulations regarding loans in areas having special flood hazards. This action is required to implement the provisions of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, Title V of Public Law 103-325. VA is strengthening requirements for procuring and maintaining flood insurance on properties in areas having special flood hazards which secure loans guaranteed by VA, and to include new requirements for VA as a "Federal agency lender.'"
  Effective Date: February 6, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service,
  Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368.

January 1997

• Loan Guaranty: Limitation on Discount Points Financed in Connection With Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 24, 1997, to amend VA's loan guaranty regulations concerning points allowed to be included in Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans. This rule limits to two the amount of discount points that may be included in the loan. This rule is necessary to help ensure that veterans are not overcharged with excessive points and to protect the Government against the danger of overinflated loans.
  Effective Date: January 24, 1997.
  Contact: Ms. Judith Caden, Assistant Director for Loan Policy (264), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments and Headstone or Marker Allowance Rate – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on January 16, 1997, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs. These adjustments are based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during the one year period ending September 30, 1996. VA is also giving notice of the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be paid for headstones or markers purchased in lieu of Government-furnished headstones or markers in Fiscal Year 1997, which began on October 1, 1996.
  Effective Date: December 1, 1996.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (213B), Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Survivors and Dependents Education: Extension of Eligibility Period – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, January 9, 1997, to amend its educational assistance and educational benefit regulations. It restores provisions that govern the extension of the period eligible spouses and surviving spouses have to use Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). These provisions previously were removed by error. Also, this document requests Paperwork Reduction Act comments concerning the requirement that a spouse or surviving spouse must apply for the extension.
  Comments Deadline: March 10, 1997.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AI45".
  Contact: June C. Schaeffer, Assistant Director for Policy and Program Administration, Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

Except as noted, the numbers listed in this document are not toll-free.  Please also be advised that any contact information included in this document is solely historical in nature, and is only maintained as such; it was only accurate at the initial time of publication. 

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