Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans from the 110th Congress [January 2007 - October 2007]

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.

[October 2007]

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 24, 2007, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during November and December 2007, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The purpose of the Merit Review Board is to provide advice on the scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for VA merit review consideration. Proposals submitted for review by the Board involve a wide range of medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, behavioral and clinic science research.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.
  

• Advisory Committee on OIF/ OEF Veterans and Families; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 19, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and Families will meet at the Capitol Hilton Hotel, in Washington, DC on November 6 through 8, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will include Committee deliberations as it begins to draft an interim report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and consider its work and strategic plans for the future.
  Contact: Ronald Thomas, Esquire, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5182.
  

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 19, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on November 5 through 7, 2007, in Arlington, Virginia. The agenda will include briefings and updates on the Center for Minority Veterans, Faith-Based Initiatives, Veterans Health Administration, Mental Health Initiatives, Homeless Veterans Program, Center for Women Veterans, and Statistics of Minority VA Employees, Veterans Benefits Administration, Office of Research and Development, National Cemetery Administration, Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, and an OIF/OEF ``Soldier to Veteran'' panel.
  Contact: Juanita Mullen, Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Center for Minority Veterans (00M), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 461-6191; fax: (202) 273-7092; or e-mail at juanita.mullen@va.gov.
  

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 19, 2007, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Washington, DC, for December 12, 2007. The meeting will deal with qualifications of personnel conducting the studies, staff and consultant critiques of research proposals and similar documents, and the medical records of patients who are study subjects, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Deputy Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0183.
  

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 17, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet in Washington, DC on November 7 and 8, 2007. The Committee will be briefed by the Chief Consultant for Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group, Chief of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, Deputy Director of Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services, the Chief of Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics, Director of Retinal Surgery from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a VA panel presentation on amputee care, the Chief Consultant for Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group, and the Chief Consultant for Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group on Audiology and Speech Pathology Programs.
  Contact: Cynthia Wade, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group (117), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8485.
  

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 5, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on October 29 through 31, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include overviews of the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, updates on activities of the Center for Women Veterans, the 2006 Advisory Committee on Women Veterans' report, an overview of the Women Veterans Health Strategic Healthcare Group, a briefing on women's mental health and military sexual trauma, an annual ethics briefing, briefings from the Center for Veterans Enterprise, VA Homeless Program, the Office of Congressional & Legislative Affairs, and VHA Research; briefings and updates on genomic medicine, the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service, and the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission's final report.
  Contact: Desiree Long, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans (OOW), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax: (202) 461-6193, or e-mail: OOW@mail.va.gov.
  

• Enhanced-Use Lease of VA Property for the Development and Operation of an Assisted Living Facility in Viera, Florida - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2007, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 15 acres of undeveloped VA land adjacent to the existing Viera VA Outpatient Clinic in Viera, Florida. The selected lessee will finance, design, develop, construct, operate, and maintain an assisted living facility consisting of not less than 50 units on the property. The lessee will be required to provide VA with agreed-upon lease payments and in-kind consideration consisting of priority placement and a discount rental rate eligible veterans will pay to reside in the assisted living facility.
  Contact: Jim Lavery, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9583.
  

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 2, 2007, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on October 25 and 26, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include discussions on pending legislation, a presentation by guest speaker Mr. Allison Jones, Vice Chancellor of California State University, an overview of licensing and certification opportunities, and discussion concerning outreach efforts to veterans before their enrollment in higher education programs.
  Contact: Salminio Garner, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Education Service (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 461-9832.
  

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 2, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War scheduled a meeting on October 22 through 24, in Gainesville, Florida. The agenda will include remarks from dignitaries, review of committee reports, an update of activities since the last meeting, a period for Former Prisoners of War and/or the public to address the Committee, and a presentation from the Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoner of War Studies.
  Contact: Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  

• Beneficiary Travel Under 38 U.S.C. 111 Within the United States - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 2, 2007, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language provisions applicable to payments to beneficiaries who are eligible for more than one benefit. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension rules in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist claimants, beneficiaries, and VA personnel in locating and understanding these rules.
  Comments Deadline: December 3, 2007.
  Address: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov; Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL95--Payments to Beneficiaries Who Are Eligible for More than One Benefit.''
  Contact: William Russo, Director, Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.
  

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 1, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on October 16 and 17, 2007, in San Diego, California. The Committee will review the responses to the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans 2007 report, receive information and reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal departments; the Committee will also continue to receive reports and begin preparation of its upcoming annual report and recommendations to the Secretary.
  Contact: Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Homeless Veterans Programs Office (075D), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  

[September 2007]

• Reasonable Charges for Inpatient DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) and SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Medical Services; 2007 Fiscal Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ``reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • for a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • for a nonservice-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 nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Data for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities based on these methodologies will either be published in a notice in the Federal Register or will be posted on the Internet site of the Veterans Health Administration Chief Business Office, currently at http://www.va.gov/cbo; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Effective Date: October 1, 2007.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Improved Pension - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 26, 2007, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language its Improved Pension regulations. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension rules in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist claimants, beneficiaries, and VA personnel in locating and understanding these Improved Pension regulations.
  Comments Deadline: November 26, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM04--Improved Pension.''
  Contact: William Russo, Chief, Regulation Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Headstone and Marker Application Process - The Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 19, 2007, to amend its regulations applicable to Government-furnished headstones or markers for placement in a national, State veterans, or private cemetery. The final rule specifies that:
  • a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse, whose remains are unavailable for burial, and who died after November 11, 1998, is eligible for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery.
  • a veteran's dependent child, whose remains are unavailable for burial, and who died after December 22, 2006, is eligible for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery.
  • Lastly, this final rule extends for 1 year the authority to provide a Government-furnished headstone or marker for already marked graves of eligible veterans whose deaths occurred on or after September 11, 2001, for placement in private cemeteries.
  T his final rule is necessary to incorporate statutory amendments into VA regulations.
  Effective Date: September 19, 2007.
  Contact: Deanna Wilson, Chief, Legislative and Regulatory Division, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5306.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 12, 2007, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on October 15, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive program updates and updates from the workgroups on Ethics and Colon Cancer testing, and will be asked to provide insight into optimal ways for VA to incorporate genomic information into its health care program while applying appropriate ethical oversight and protecting the privacy of veterans.
  Contact: Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar ; e-mail: sumitra.muralidhar@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 12, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on October 31 and November 1, 2007, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues, tour Quantico National Cemetery, and then reconvene for a business session in the afternoon, which will include discussions of Committee recommendations, future meeting sites, and potential agenda topics.
  Contact: Michael Nacincik, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5221; e-mail: michael.n@va.gov.

[August 2007]

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 31, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on September 17, 2007 at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Massachusetts.
  The objective of the meeting is to provide the Secretary with advice regarding the final selection of a healthcare, capital planning and reuse option for the Greater Boston area campuses of the VA New England Healthcare System.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@va.gov.

• Special Medical Advisory Group; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 31, 2007, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on October 12, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of the Veterans Health Administration's public relations campaign, an update on the budget, an update on information technology security, a briefing on relationships between VA and the Department of Defense, and an update on academic affiliations.
  Contact: Juanita Leslie, Office of Administrative Operations (10B2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 461-7019.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 29, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on September 19 through 21, 2007. The agenda will feature ongoing review, discussions and decisions regarding the Commission's final report.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 20, 2007, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on September 10, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of the Department of Veterans Affairs research portfolio, a summary of current budget allocations and a discussion of information security. The Council will also provide feedback on the direction and focus of the Department's research initiatives.
  Contact: Jay Freedman, PhD, Office of Research and Development (12), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: jay.freedman@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 29, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet on October 4 and 5, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will be provided an update on the current activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center program to serve the veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, a review of the partnership between VA and DOD in ensuring a seamless transition for returning war veterans, strategic planning activities, and drafting recommendations for the Committee's next report to Congress.
  Contact: Charlie M. Flora, M.S.W., Designated Federal Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs (15), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at charles.flora@va.gov; telephone: (202) 461-6531.

• Determinations Concerning Illnesses Discussed in National Academy of Sciences Report on Gulf War and Health - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 24, 2007,that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, under the authority granted by the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998, Public Law 105-277, title XVI, 112 Stat. 2681-742 through 2681-749 (codified at 38 U.S.C. 1118), has determined not to establish a presumption of service connection at this time, based on exposure to insecticides or solvents during service in the Persian Gulf during the Persian Gulf War, for any of the diseases, illnesses, or health effects discussed in the February 18, 2003, report of the National Academy of Sciences, titled ``Gulf War and Health, Volume 2. Insecticides and Solvents.'' This determination does not in any way preclude VA from granting service connection for any disease, including those specifically discussed in this notice, nor does it change any existing rights or procedures VA must prove not only that the condition existed prior to entrance into active service, but also that it was not aggravated by the veteran's active service. This amendment reflects a change in VA's interpretation of the statute governing the presumption of sound condition, and is based on a recent opinion of VA's General Counsel as well as a recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The intended effect of this amendment is to require that VA, not the claimant, prove that the disability preexisted entrance into military service and that the disability was not aggravated by such service before the presumption of soundness on entrance onto active duty is overcome.
  Contact: David Barrans, Attorney, Office of General Counsel (022), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6332.

• Disclosure of Information to Organ Procurement Organizations -The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 23, 2007, to amend VA regulations to implement section 204 of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006. This regulatory change will provide authority for VA to provide individually-identifiable VA medical records of veterans or dependents of veterans who are deceased or whose death is imminent to representatives of organ procurement organizations as defined in section 371(b) of the Public Health Service Act, eye banks, and tissue banks to determine whether the patients are suitable potential donors.
  Effective Date: August 23, 2007.
  Contact: Stephania Putt, Veterans Health Administration Privacy Officer, Office of Information (19F2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6332.

• Advisory Committee on OIF/ OEF Veterans and Families; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 21, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and Families will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 11 through 13, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will include briefings by each of the two subcommittees on recent site visits, an update on recent legislation affecting veterans and veterans' benefits, and an update on recommendations from the President's Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.
  Contact: Ronald Thomas, Esquire, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5182.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 20, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on September 5 through 7, 2007. The agenda will feature ongoing review, discussions and decisions regarding the Commission's final report.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 20, 2007, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on September 10, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of the Department of Veterans Affairs research portfolio, a summary of current budget allocations and a discussion of information security. The Council will also provide feedback on the direction and focus of the Department's research initiatives.
  Contact: Jay Freedman, PhD, Office of Research and Development (12), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: jay.freedman@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 20, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on September 6, 2007 at the West Los Angeles Campus of the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, in Los Angeles, California.
  The objective of the meeting is to provide the Secretary with advice regarding the final selection of a capital planning option to modernize the West Los Angeles campus of the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@va.gov.

• Enhanced-Use Lease for a Mixed-Use Development at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 14, 2007, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 26 acres at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina. The selected lessee will finance, design and construct, manage, maintain and operate a mixed-use development, to include expansion of existing facilities at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, a new office building, and a new fire/police station for the City of Columbia. The lessee also would be required to provide the Department with ground rent payments, or at the Department's option, in lieu of a portion of the ground rent, in-kind consideration consisting of clinical/administrative space for use by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  Contact: Alan Hackman, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5875.

• Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive License - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 8, 2007, that the Office of Research and Development, intends to grant to Preventative Nutrient Company, Incorporated, Northridge, California, an exclusive license to practice the following patent applications: U.S. Patent 7,144,865 entitled ``Compositions and Methods for Treating Obesity''; U.S. Patent Application 5,834,032 entitled ``Compositions and Methods for Treating Diabetes''; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/892,785 entitled ``Compositions and Methods for Treating Alzheimer's Disease.''
  Comments Deadline: Comments must be received within fifteen (15) days from the date of this published Notice.
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director of Technology Transfer, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development, Attn: 12TT; 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: ami.centanni@va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0199.
  

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on 8, 2007, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on October 15 through 16, 2007, in Orlando, Florida. The Committee agenda will include NAC goals and objectives, minutes of the May 2006 meeting, Veterans Health Administration update, VAVS update of the Voluntary Service program's progress, concerns since the May 2006 NAC annual meeting, Parke Board update, evaluations of the May 2006 annual meeting, plans for 2007 NAC annual meeting, to include workshops and plenary sessions, 2008 NAC annual meeting planning, recommendations from May 2006 NAC annual meeting, subcommittee reports, standard operating procedure revisions, new business and Executive Committee appointments.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Designated Federal Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8952.
  

[July 2007]

• Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 31, 2007, that the Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations scheduled a meeting for September 21, 2007, in Washington, DC. Panelists will review the Department's current affiliations with medical schools and will receive background presentations and issue papers on various topics that are relevant to the Panel's deliberations.
  Contact: Gloria Holland, PhD Special Assistant for Policy and Planning to the Chief Academic Affiliations Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: Gloria.Holland@va.gov.

• Veterans' Preference - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published an interim rule with request for comments in the Federal Register on July 27, 2007, to implement a change to the definition of ``active duty'' contained in Sec. 211.102(f) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.
  Effective date: Interim rule effective July 27, 2007; comments must be received on or before September 25, 2007.
  OPM Address: Mark Doboga, Deputy Associate Director for Talent and Capacity Policy, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 6551, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-9700; facsimile: (202) 606-2329; e-mail at: employ@opm.gov.
  OPM Contact: Scott Wilander; telephone: (202) 606-0960; facsimile: (202) 606-0390; TTY: (202) 606-3134; e-mail at: scott.wilander@opm.gov.

• Beneficiary Travel Under 38 U.S.C. 111 Within the United States - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 23, 2007, to amend VAbeneficiary travel regulations that provide a mechanism for payment of travel expenses within the United States under 38 U.S.C. 111 to help veterans and other persons obtain care and services from VA's Veterans Health Administration. We propose to revise the regulations to more fully implement the statutory provisions governing such payments.
  Comments Deadline: September 21, 2007.
  Address: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov; , Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM02--Beneficiary Travel Under 38 U.S.C. 111 Within the United States.''
  Contact: Tony Guagliardo, Chief Business Office, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0406.

• Reservists' Education: Revision of Eligibility Requirements for the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve - The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security (Coast Guard), and Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 19, 2007, to increase the monthly rates of basic educational assistance payable under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve program for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 in accordance with statutory requirements, increase the percentage of basic educational assistance payable to reservists pursuing apprenticeship or other on-the-job training in accordance with the Veterans Benefits Act of 2004, and remove obsolete education break-pay provisions.
  Effective Date: July 19, 2007.
  Contact: Brandye Kidd, Management and Program Analyst, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (225C), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7420.
  

• Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 13, 2007, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on August 21 through 23, 2007, in Chicago, Illinois. The following subcommittees will convene:
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Equity/Women's Health
  • General Health Services Research
  • Implementation and Management Research Science
  • Long Term Care and Aging
  • Mental Health and Deployment Health
  • Nursing Research Initiative
  T he purpose of Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services, the testing of new methods of health care delivery and management, and nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Scientific Merit Review Program Manager (124R), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1722 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0207.

• Provision of Hospital Care and Medical Services During Certain Disasters or Emergencies - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 12, 2007, to establish regulations regarding the provision of hospital care and medical services under the VA Emergency Preparedness Act of 2002 to individuals responding to, involved in, or otherwise affected by certain disasters or emergencies (including individuals who otherwise do not have eligibility for such care and services).
  Comments Deadline: September 10, 2007.
  Address: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov; , Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM40--Provision of Hospital Care and Medical Services During Certain Disasters or Emergencies.''
  Contact: Tony Guagliardo, Director, Business Policy, Chief Business Office (163), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0384.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 11, 2007, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC on September 19 and 20, 2007. The agenda will include presentations and discussion on VA's aging research activities, update on VA's geriatric workforce (to include training, recruitment and retention approaches), VHA Primary Care and Geriatric Primary Care, recent VHA efforts regarding dementia and delirium, and performance oversight of the VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers.
  Contact: Marcia Holt-Delaney, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8540.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 11, 2007, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on July 30 and 31, 2007 in Washington, DC. The agenda will include discussions of medical and scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. On the basis of the discussions, the Committee may make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain diseases to exposure to ionizing radiation. On July 30, 2007 there will be a presentation by VA's Public Health and Environmental Hazards Office. The July 31, 2007 session will include planning for future Committee activities and assignment of tasks among the members.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 461-9723; fax: (202) 275-1728.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 10, 2007, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on July 18 and 19, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on relevant scientific research published since the last Committee meeting. Additionally, there will be presentations and discussion of the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program at the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine, chronic multisymptom illnesses, mechanisms potentially underlying chronic symptoms affecting Gulf War veterans, and discussion of Committee business and activities.
  Contact: Dr. William Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294, or Dr. Steele, Scientific Director, at (785) 350-3111, extexsion 54617.

[June 2007]

• Loan Guaranty: Loan Servicing and Claims Procedures Modifications - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a second supplemental notice in the Federal Register on June 1, 2007, regarding a proposal to amend its lLoan Guaranty regulations related to several aspects of the servicing and liquidating of guaranteed housing loans in default, and submission of guaranty claims by loan holders. This notice provides specific information regarding VA's proposal to phase-in implementation of the new electronic reporting requirement and other provisions in the proposed rule published February 18, 2005 (70 FR 8472). In addition, VA is taking this opportunity to address certain comments raised by some members of industry in response to VA's publication of the first supplemental notice to this rulemaking (November 27, 2006 (71 FR 68948)), and to provide further explanation of the ongoing development of VA's computer-based tracking system. VA is reopening the comment period for the limited purpose of accepting public comments concerning the supplemental information provided in this notice.
  Comments deadline: June 15, 2007. All comments previously received following publication of the proposed rule and the supplemental notice referenced above are being considered and do not need to be resubmitted.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or through http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AL65.''
  Contact: Mike Frueh, Assistant Director for Loan Management (261), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7325.

[May 2007]

• Department of Veterans Affairs Implementation of OMB Guidance on Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 31, 2007, that VA is moving its regulations on nonprocurement debarment and suspension from title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), to title 2 of the CFR, and is adopting the format established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in its interim final guidance on nonprocurement debarment and suspension, and OMB's final guidance on those matters. Accordingly, in this final rule, VA adopts OMB's guidance and consolidates it with VA's supplemental nonprocurement debarment and suspension provisions, which are codified at 38 CFR part 44. This rule removes part 44 and makes conforming changes to other 38 CFR provisions. This regulatory action is a government-wide administrative initiative for purposes of simplification and clarity, and makes no substantive changes to VA's policy or procedures for nonprocurement debarment and suspension.
  Effective Date: May 31, 2007.
  Contact: Katherine Faliski, Assistant Director for Loan Policy and Valuation (262), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: katherine.faliski@vba.va.gov.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 23, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on June 7 and 8. The agenda will feature updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine. There will be additional discussions with the Center for Naval Analyses on topics of ongoing research and analyses. The Institute of Medicine Committees on Presumptions and Medical Evaluation of Veterans for Disability are expected to provide an overview of each Committee's final report and discuss their findings with the Commission.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 22, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities will meet at the Export Import Bank, in Washington, DC, on June 14 and 15, 2007. The Committee will review developments in the fields of fire safety issues and structural design as they relate to seismic and other natural hazards, impact on the safety of buildings; and receive appropriate briefings and presentations on current seismic, natural hazards and fire safety issues that are particularly relevant to facilities owned and leased by the Department. The Committee will also discuss appropriate structural and fire safety recommendations for inclusion in VA's standards. .
  Contact: Mr. Krishna Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Facilities Quality Service, Office of Facilities Management (00CFM1A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

• General Evidence Requirements, Effective Dates, Revision of Decisions, and Protection of Existing Ratings - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 22, 2007, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language general provisions applicable to its compensation and pension regulations, including general evidence requirements, general effective dates for new awards, revision of decisions, and protection of existing ratings. These revisions are proposed as part of the Department's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension rules in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist claimants and VA personnel in locating and understanding these provisions.
  Comments Deadline: July 23, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM01--General Evidence Requirements, Effective Dates, Revision of Decisions, and Protection of Existing Ratings.''
  Contact: William Russo, Director of Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2007, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Washington, DC, for June 13, 2007. The meeting will deal with qualifications of personnel conducting the studies, staff and consultant critiques of research proposals and similar documents, and the medical records of patients who are study subjects, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Deputy Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0183.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2007, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on June 11, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive an overview of the VA health care system and electronic medical record, and will be asked to provide insight into optimal ways for VA to incorporate genomic information into its health care program while applying appropriate ethical oversight and protecting the privacy of veterans.
  Contact: Dr. Timothy O'Leary; e-mail: timothy.oleary@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on June 4 through 8, 2007, in Palo Alto, California. The agenda will include briefings and updates on the Palo Alto Health Care System and Polytrauma Center, Women's Health Center, resident training, academic affairs/research, quality assurance, and surgical services; Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit, veteran service organizations, nursing services, and inpatient acute psychiatry building plans for privacy issues.
  Contact: Chanel Bankston-Carter at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans (OOW), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax: (202) 273-7092, or e-mail: OOW@mail.va.gov.

• Annual Pay Ranges for Physicians and Dentists of the Veterans Health Administration - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2007, as required by Public Law 108-445, the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Enhancement Act of 2004'' that VA is hereby giving notice of annual pay ranges for Veterans Health Administration physicians and dentists. These annual pay ranges are intended to enhance the flexibility of the Department to recruit, develop, and retain the most highly qualified providers to serve our Nation's veterans and maintain a standard of excellence in the VA healthcare system.
  Effective date: July 22, 2007.
  Contact: Donna Schroeder, Director, Compensation and Classification Service (055), Office of Human Resources Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9803.

• Change in Secretary's Delegation of Authority and Clarification of that Authority - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 15, 2007, to amend the delegation regulation, which authorizes a VA official to take final action on complaints of employment discrimination when the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication recuses itself due to a conflict of interest. The amendment provides that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has delegated authority to take such action to the Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, and clarifies that such authority includes awarding remedial relief in cases where there has been a finding of discrimination.
  Effective Date: This final rule is effective May 15, 2007.
  Contact: Charles Delobe, Director, Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication (00D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0063.

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register May 8, 2007, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on August 29 through 30, 2007 and September 5 through 6, 2007, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public for the discussion of administrative matters, the general status of the program and the administrative details of the review process. The meeting will be closed for the Board's review of research and development applications.
  Contact: Terrilynn Carlton, Federal Designated Officer, Portfolio Manager, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0265.

• Accreditation of Agents and Attorneys; Agent and Attorney Fees - Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 7, 2007, to amend its regulations governing the representation of claimants for veterans benefits in order to implement provisions of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, and to reorganize and clarify existing regulations. The proposed regulations would establish the procedures and rules necessary for VA to facilitate the paid representation of claimants by accredited agents and attorneys after a notice of disagreement has been filed with respect to a case. The intended effect of these regulations is to fulfill Congress' direction that agents and attorneys may be paid for services rendered after a notice of disagreement is filed with respect to a decision by an agency of original jurisdiction while ensuring that claimants for veterans benefits have responsible qualified representation in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans benefits.
  Comments Deadline: June 6, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM62--Accreditation of Agents and Attorneys; Agent and Attorney Fees.''
  Contact: Michael Daugherty, Staff Attorney, Office of the General Counsel (022G2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6315.

• Fund Availability Under the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published four notices in the Federal Register on May 4, 2007, to announce the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Capital Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This notice contains information concerning the program, funding priorities, application process, and amount of funding available Application packages on-line: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3
  Deadline: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2007. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX).
  Contact: Dr. Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

• Advisory Committee on OIF/ OEF Veterans and Families; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 1, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on OIF/OEF Veterans and Families will meet in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 14 through 16, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will include briefings by senior officials of the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and National Cemetery Administration on VA programs and policies that particularly affect OIF/OEF veterans. Other presentations will focus on the ongoing activities of VA's Office of Seamless Transition, and deliberations of the Joint (VA-DoD) Executive Council. The May 16 session will be devoted to Committee discussion of its general workplan, possible site visits to VA facilities, and future meeting dates.
  Contact: Ronald Thomas, Esquire, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5182.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 1, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on May 9 through 11, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will feature updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine. There will be additional discussions with the Center for Naval Analyses on topics of ongoing research and analyses, and the Institute of Medicine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Compensation Committee will provide an overview of its final report. The Commission will receive presentations on several draft Issue Papers in various stages of development and discuss the composition of sections of the Commission's final report.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

[April 2007]

• Semiannual Regulatory Agenda - The Department of Veterans Affairs published its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda in the Federal Register, on April 30, 2007. This agenda announces the regulations that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will have under development or review during the 12-month period beginning in the spring 2007. The purpose in publishing the Department's regulatory agenda is to allow all interested persons the opportunity to participate in VA's regulatory planning.
  Interested persons are invited to comment on the entries listed in the agenda by contacting the individual agency contact listed for each entry or by writing to: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Janet Coleman: (202) 273-9145

• Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment Training and Employer Outreach; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service published a notice in the Federal Register on April 26, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment Training and Employer Outreach scheduled a meeting for May 15, 2007, in Washington, DC. The Committee will discuss programs assisting veterans seeking employment and raising employer awareness as to the advantages of hiring veterans.
  Department of Labor Contact: Bill Offutt , Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004; telephone: (202) 693-4717.

• Administration of VA Educational Benefits--Centralized Certification - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 25, 2007, to amend the rules governing certification of enrollment in approved courses for the training of veterans and other eligible persons under the education benefit programs the Department administers. Under this rule, educational institutions with multi-state campuses may submit certifications to the Department from a centralized location.
  Effective Date: This final rule is effective June 25, 2007.
  Contact: Lynn Nelson, Education Advisor (225C), Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 20, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on May 16 and 17, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues; the Committee will tour Georgia and Marietta National Cemeteries and then reconvene at the hotel for a business session in the afternoon, which will include discussions of Committee recommendations, future meeting sites, and potential agenda topics at future meetings.
  Contact: Michael Nacincik, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5221; e-mail: michael.n@va.gov.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 20, 2007, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on May 7, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of the Department of Veterans Affairs research portfolio, a summary of current budget allocations and a discussion of information security. The Council will also provide feedback on the direction and focus of the Department's research initiatives.
  Contact: Jay Freedman, PhD, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (352) 392-8066; e-mail: jay.freedman@va.gov.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 20, 2007, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on May 16 and 17, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include opening remarks and an overview by Mr. James Bombard, Committee Chair; this session will include discussion on proposed and new legislation, a total force GI Bill, chapter 1606 eligibility extension, on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs and the contract call center. oral statements from the public will be heard at 4 p.m.
  Contact: Salminio Garner, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Education Service (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Special Medical Advisory Group; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on May 14, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of environment of care, polytrauma/medical evaluations, an update on information technology, and women veterans health.
  Contact: Juanita Leslie, Office of Administrative Operations (10B2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5882.

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 17, 2007, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during May and June 2007, in Washington, DC. The purpose of the Merit Review Board is to provide advice on the scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for VA merit review consideration. Proposals submitted for review by the Board involve a wide range of medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, behavioral and clinic science research.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Urban and Non-Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program Grants for Program Year (PY) 2007 Solicitation for Grant Applications 07-07, Period of Performance Is PY 2007, July 1, 2007 Through June 30, 2008; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 17.805 - The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 13, 2007, to announce a grant competition under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. Section 2021 requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force.
  Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program grants are intended to address two objectives: (1) To provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and (2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Successful applicants will design programs that assist eligible veterans by providing job placement services, job training, counseling, supportive services, and other assistance to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. Successful programs will also be designed to be flexible in addressing the universal as well as the local or regional problems that have had a negative impact on homeless veterans reentering the workforce
  Application Deadline: May 14, 2007.
  Application Process On-Line: Applicants are encouraged to apply online at: http://www.grants.gov, and to immediately initiate and complete the ``Get Started'' registration steps at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp
  Application Address if not submitted On-Line: Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference SGA 07-07, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210 http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/main.htm
  VETS VETS Contact: Cassandra Mitchell, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-4570; TDD: 800-670-7008; e-mail: mitchell.cassandra@dol.gov; website: http://www.dol.gov/vets/.

• Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program National Technical Assistance Center Cooperative Agreements for Program Year 2007 Solicitation for Cooperative Agreements Solicitation 07-08 Period of Performance is Program Year 2007, July 1, 2007 Through June 30, 2008 - The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 13, 2007, to announce a cooperative agreement competition under 38 U.S.C. Section 2021, as added by Section 5 of Public Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001. Section 2021 authorizes programs to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. The availability of funds is for a cooperative agreement to assist in developing a National Technical Assistance Center for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program.
  Application Deadline: May 14, 2007.
  Application Process On-Line: Applicants are encouraged to apply online at: http://www.grants.gov, and to immediately initiate and complete the ``Get Started'' registration steps at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp
  Application Address if not submitted On-Line: Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Attention: Cassandra Mitchell, Reference Solicitation 07-08, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210 http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/main.htm
  VETS VETS Contact: Cassandra Mitchell, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-4570; TDD: 800-670-7008; website: http://www.dol.gov/vets/.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 10, 2007, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on April 24 and 25, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities relating to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on relevant scientific research published since the last Committee meeting. Additionally, there will be presentations and discussion of background information on the Gulf War and Gulf War veterans' illnesses, mechanisms potentially underlying chronic symptoms affecting Gulf War veterans, and discussion of Committee business and activities. The Committee will also discuss the recommendations to be included in its 2007 report.
  Contact: Dr. William Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs; Public Meeting - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 10, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs has scheduled a public meeting on April 24, 2007. The meeting will be held at the SBA, 409 3rd Street, SW, Washington, DC.
  SBA Contact:: Cheryl Clark, Program Liaison, in the Office of Veterans Business Development, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 205-6773; e-mail: cheryl.clark@sba.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

• Veterans and Dependents Education: Topping-Up Tuition Assistance; Licensing and Certification Tests; Duty To Assist Education Claimants - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 5, 2006, to amend the regulations governing various aspects of the education program VA administers. The final rule includes provisions for the payment of educational assistance under Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance, the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program, and the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty for the cost of taking tests for licensure or certification; provisions for the payment of Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty to individuals on active duty for the difference between the portion of tuition and expenses covered by off-duty military tuition assistance programs and the actual charges made by educational institutions; provisions regarding VA's duty to assist claimants filing claims for educational assistance under the education programs VA administers; and nonsubstantive changes for the purpose of clarity, technical changes, or restatements of statutory provisions.
  Effective Date: This final rule is effective May 7, 2007.
  Contact: Lynn Nelson, Education Advisor (225C), Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.
  

[March 2007]

• Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health, Sunshine Act Meeting - The Department of Defense (DoD) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 29, 2007, that the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health scheduled a meeting for April 16, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain, review, and evaluate information related to the Mental Health Task Force's congressionally-mandated task of assessing the efficacy of mental health services provided to members of the Armed Forces by the Department of Defense. The Task Force members will publicly deliberate on the Elements of the Report outlined by Congress in regards to mental health care delivery to military service members, their families, and veterans. In addition to public deliberations, the Task Force will also conduct administrative sessions.
  DoD Contact: Colonel Roger Gibson, Executive Secretary, Defense Health Board, Skyline One, 5205 Leesburg Pike, Suite 810, Falls Church, Virginia 22041; telephone: (703) 681-3279, extension 123.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 29, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on April 17, 2007 at the Montrose VA Medical Center, Montrose, New York.
  The objective of the meeting is for the CARES contractor to present the business plan options, for the VA Montrose and Castle Point campuses, recommended to VA for further study and those selected by VA. The Committee will provide recommendations to the contractor regarding issues to be addressed in the Stage 2 study of the options selected by VA. The agenda will accommodate public commentary on the issues to be addressed in Stage 2 of the CARES study.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.va.gov.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Supplemental Statement of the Case - Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 26, 2007, to amend its regulations regarding the time limit for filing a response to a Supplemental Statement of the Case in appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. We propose to change the response period from 60 days to 30 days. The purpose of this change is to improve efficiency in the appeals process and reduce the time that it takes to resolve appeals while still providing appellants with a reasonable period to respond to a Supplemental Statement of the Case.
  Comments Deadline: May 25, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM49--Supplemental Statement of the Case.''
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program--Initial Evaluations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 26, 2007, concerning initial evaluations of individuals who apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. This final rule is intended to reflect changes in law regarding initial evaluations, to reflect VA's interpretation of applicable law and its determinations of procedures appropriate for use in the initial evaluation, and to improve readability.
  Effective Date: April 25, 2007.
  Contact: Mark Hawkins, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6923.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 23, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on April 16 through 19, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include briefings and updates from the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, Readjustment Counseling Service, CARES, Loan Guaranty Service, Policy and Program Management the National Cemetery Administration, Human Resources Administration, National Veterans Employment Program, VA Strategic Plan, Telehealth, the Center for Women Veterans, seamless transition activities, the Fisher House/Center for the Intrepid, VA Office of Research and Development, homeless veterans programs, the DC National Guard, a panel of OIF/OEFsoldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and , and the presentation of Certificates of Appointment to five new Committee members.
  Contact: Juanita Mullen, Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Center for Minority Veterans (00M), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708; fax: (202) 273-7092; or e-mail at juanita.mullen@va.gov.

• Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register, on March 23, 2007, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation programs.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2006.
  Contact: Pamela Lyric Collier, Program Analyst, Compensation and Pension Service (212A), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7212.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 23, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on April 10, 2007 at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York.
  The objective of the meeting is to provide the Secretary with advice regarding the final selection of a business planning option to modernize the medial center from those options previously selected by the Secretary for further study. An analysis of the business planning options completed by the VA contractor will be presented for Committee review in preparation for submitting the Committee's final recommendations to VA. The agenda will also accommodate public commentary on the options.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.va.gov.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 22, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on April 19 through 20, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will feature updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) and the Institute of Medicine. The Commission will receive presentations on CNA's preliminary survey results and several draft Issue Papers in various stages of development. There will be additional discussions with CNA on the topic of earned income, employment and compensation. The Commission will also receive comments from interested parties on the research topics approved for study and analysis by the Commission on October 14, 2005, and posted on the Commission's Web site during March 2007 for public comment.
  Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Appendices A, B, and C - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 20, 2007, to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Appendices A, B, and C to include all current diagnostic codes. Appendix A is also amended to include all the diagnostic code historical information since the last review.
  Effective Date: April 19, 2007.
  Contact: Trude Steele, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Veterans' Preference - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 15, 2007, adopting without changes, an interim rule that implemented amendments to veterans' preference as contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2006. These amendments expanded the definition of a veteran and clarified veterans' preference eligibility for individuals discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions. The intended effect of the regulatory changes was to conform OPM's regulations to the changes in the veterans' preference laws, to ensure that job-seeking veterans received the preference to which they are entitled.
  Effective date: March 15, 2007.
  OPM Contact: Scott Wilander; telephone: (202) 606-0960; facsimile: (202) 606-0390; TTY: (202) 606-3134; e-mail at: scott.wilander@opm.gov.

• Special and Ancillary Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 9, 2007, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language regulations concerning special and ancillary benefits for veterans, dependents, and survivors. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension rules in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist claimants and VA personnel in locating and understanding these provisions.
  Comments Deadline: May 8, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL84--Special and Ancillary Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors.''
  Contact: William Russo, Director of Regulations Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Traumatic Injury Protection Rider to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 8, 2007, to adopt with changes a VA interim final rule that implemented section 1032 of Public Law 109-13, the ``Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005.'' Section 1032 of Public Law 109-13 established an automatic traumatic injury protection rider to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) for any SGLI insured who sustains a serious traumatic injury that results in certain losses as prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense. Section 1032(a) is codified at 38 U.S.C. 1980A. Section 1032(c)(1) of Public Law 109-13 also authorized the payment of this traumatic injury benefit (TSGLI) to members of the uniformed services who incurred a qualifying loss between October 7, 2001, and the effective date of section 1032 of Public Law 109-13, i.e., December 1, 2005, provided the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). This document modifies Sec. 9.20 of the interim rule to provide that a service member must suffer a scheduled loss within 2 years after a traumatic injury, rather than one year as provided in current Sec. 9.20(d)(4). This document also amends Sec. 9.20(d)(1) to clarify that a service member does not have to be insured under SGLI in order to be eligible for TSGLI based upon incurrence of a traumatic injury between October 7, 2001, and December 1, 2005, if the member's loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in OEF or OIF.
  Effective Date: March 8, 2007.
  Contact: Greg Hosmer, Senior Insurance Specialist/Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101; telephone: (215) 842-2000, extension 4280.

• Medical: Informed Consent--Designate Health Care Professionals To Obtain Informed Consent - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, March 8, 2007, to amend VA medical regulations on informed consent. The final rule authorizes VA to designate additional categories of health care professionals to obtain the informed consent of patients or their surrogates for clinical treatment and procedures and to sign the consent form.
  Effective Date: April 9, 2007.
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, National Center for Ethics in Health Care (10E), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 501-2012.

• Establishing a Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors and a Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes - The White House published Executive Order 13426 in the Federal Register on March 8, 2007, to establish the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. The Commission shall be composed of nine members appointed by the President. The President shall designate two Co-Chairs from among the members of the Commission. The mission of the Commission shall be to:
  1. examine the effectiveness of returning wounded service members' transition from deployment in support of the Global War on Terror to successful return to productive military service or civilian society, and recommend needed improvements;
  2. evaluate the coordination, management, and adequacy of the delivery of health care, disability, traumatic injury, education, employment, and other benefits and services to returning wounded Global War on Terror service members by Federal agencies as well as by the private sector, and recommend ways to ensure that programs provide high-quality services;
  3. (i) analyze the effectiveness of existing outreach to service members regarding such benefits and services, and service members' level of awareness of and ability to access these benefits and services, and (ii) identify ways to reduce barriers to and gaps in these benefits and services; and
  4. consult with foundations, veterans service organizations, non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, and others as appropriate, in performing the Commission's functions under subsections (a) through (c) of this section.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 7, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on March 22 through 23, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will feature updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine. The Commission will receive presentations on the application of VA's disability rating schedule and several draft Issue Papers in various stages of development. There will also be a discussion of the format and outline to be used for the Commission's final report. The Commission will also receive comments from interested parties on Research Question 19, ``Pending Claim Ends with Death.''
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 7, 2007, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 0.6 acres of land and an existing building (Building No. 402) at the VA Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. The lease would have an initial term of 65 years, and an option to extend such term for 10 additional years. In exchange for and as consideration under the lease, the selected lessee would be required to develop, finance, renovate, construct, manage, maintain, and operate the building as a facility comprised of not less than 27 units, and provide transitional housing and supportive services to homeless individuals within the community. Such housing and supportive services would be provided by the lessee to veterans on a priority basis. As further consideration, VA would receive an annual rent of $5,000 (subject to yearly increases per a HUD fair market rent escalator) plus additional in-kind consideration, such as case management and counseling services, from the lessee during the lease term.
  Contact: William Sexton, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9470.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Butler, Pennsylvania - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 7, 2007, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 0.46 acres including a 6,000-square foot building at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Butler, Pennsylvania. The selected lessee would develop, finance, construct, manage, maintain and operate a transitional residential homeless program. The lessee also would be required to provide VA with in-kind consideration consisting of construction and improvement work on the VAMC campus and services relating to shelter, job preparation, and referrals for health care programs needs.
  Contact: Alan Hackman, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5875.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brecksville, Ohio - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 7, 2007, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease for the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Brecksville, Ohio. Under the terms of the enhanced-use lease, the selected lessee/developer would provide the Department with fair consideration in the form of discounted services needed at its Cleveland (Wade Park) campus. Such services would include administrative space and parking services. Additionally, the selected lessee/developer would make domiciliary services available to veterans in a private facility located within operational proximity of Wade Park.
  Contact: Gregg Buckley, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5518.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 2, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet in Washington, DC on March 20 and 21, 2007. The Committee will be briefed by the Chief of Rehabilitation Service; the Director, Blind Rehabilitation Service; the Chief Consultant, Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics; the Chief Consultant, Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Service; the Acting Director of Rehabilitation Research and Development Service; and the Director of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Compensation and Pension Service.
  Contact: Cynthia Wade, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group (117), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8485.

[February 2007]

• Advisory Committee on OIF/ OEFVeterans and Families; Notice of Establishment - As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 26, 2007, of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on OIF/OEFVeterans and Families.
  The Committee will provide advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the full spectrum of health care, benefits delivery and related family support issues that confront servicemembers during their transition from active duty to veterans' status and during their post-service years. The Committee will focus on the concerns of all men and women with active military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation Enduring Freedom, but will pay particular attention to severely disabled veterans and their families.

• Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations; Notice of Meeting - As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 22, 2007, that the Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations scheduled a meeting on March 27, 2007, in Washington, DC.
  The panelists will review VA's current affiliations with medical schools and establish the future directions of the Panel. The Panel will receive background presentations and issue papers on various topics that are relevant to the Panel's deliberations.
  Contact: J. Holland, PhD Special Assistant for Policy and Planning to the Chief Academic Affiliations Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: Gloria.Holland@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 22, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War scheduled a meeting on April 16 through 18, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include remarks from dignitaries, a review of Committee reports, an update of activities since the last meeting, and a period for FPOW veterans and/or the public to address the Committee; also, the Committee will hear reports from the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration; and an update on Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoners of War studies.
  Contact: Bradley G. Mayes, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Fund Availability Under the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published four notices in the Federal Register on February 22, 2007, to announce the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. Funds are available for applications as follows:
  • for applications for assistance under the ``Per Diem Only'' component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program;
  • or applications for assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program;
  • for applications for assistance under the Special Need Grant Component of VA's GPD Program, that is: Seriously Mentally Ill; Women, including women who have care of minor dependents; Frail elderly; or Terminally Ill; and,
  • for re-applications for assistance under the Special Need grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program, that is: Chronically Mentally Ill; Women, including women who have care of minor dependents; Frail elderly; or Terminally Ill.
  A pplication packages on-line: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3
  Deadline: An original completed and collated grant application (plus three completed collated copies) for assistance under the VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program must be received in the Grant and Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on April 4, 2007. Applications may not be sent by facsimile (FAX).
  Contact: Dr. Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 North 46th Street, Suite C-200, Tampa, FL 33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

• Allowance for Private Purchase of an Outer Burial Receptacle in Lieu of a Government-Furnished Graveliner for a Grave in a VA National Cemetery - Public Law 104-275 (enacted October 9, 1996) allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a monetary allowance towards the private purchase of an outer burial receptacle for use in a VA national cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 15, 2007, that the net allowance payable for qualifying interments occurring during calendar year 2007, is $188.67.
  Contact: Lisa Ciolek, Budget and Finance Service (41B1), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5161.

• Priority for Partial Grants to States for Construction or Acquisition of State Home Facilities - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 14, 2007, which adopts as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule amending the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations regarding grants to States for construction or acquisition of State homes. The amendment was necessary to ensure that projects designed to remedy conditions at an existing State home that have been cited as threatening to the lives or safety of the residents receive priority for receiving VA grants in the future (including in Fiscal Year 2007).
  Effective Date: February 14, 2007.
  Contact: Frank Salvas, Chief, State Home Construction Grant Program (114), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-8534.
  

• Home Schooling and Educational Institution - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 14, 2007, to amend adjudication regulations regarding the definition of a child for purposes of establishing entitlement to additional monetary benefits for a child who is home-schooled. VA defines educational institutions to include home-school programs that meet the legal requirements of the States (by complying with the compulsory attendance laws of the States) in which they are located. The proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2006, is adopted as final, without change.
  Effective Date: March 16, 2007.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 14, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on February 28 and March 1, 2007, in Washington, DC. The Committee will hear reports from VA officials and others on programs and policies affecting homeless veterans. Much of the activity at this meeting will be in preparation for the Committee's annual report and recommendations to the Secretary.
  Contact: Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Homeless Veterans Programs Office (075D), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 13, 2007, that the Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee will meet on May 2 through 5, 2006, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The agenda will feature a Voluntary Service Report, and recognition of the recipients of the VAVS Award for Excellence and NAC Volunteers of the Year. In addition, the James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Luncheon will be held to honor an outstanding youth volunteer. The following educational workshops are scheduled: Volunteer Assignments in the 21st century, Pet Therapy, and Advanced Clinical Access.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Director, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8952.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 13, 2007, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on March 16, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive an overview of the VA health care system and electronic medical record, and will be asked to provide insight into optimal ways for VA to incorporate genomic information into its health care program while applying appropriate ethical oversight and protecting the privacy of veterans.
  Contact: Dr. Timothy O'Leary; e-mail: timothy.oleary@va.gov.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2007 Calendar Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 13, 2007, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to certain veterans for nonservice-connected disabilities. VA proposes to change the process for determining interim billing charges when a new Diagnosis Related Group code or Current Procedure Terminology/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code identifier is assigned to a particular type or item of medical care or service and VA has not yet established a charge for the new identifier. This process is designed to provide interim billing charges that are very close to what the new billing charges would be when the charges for the new identifiers are established in accordance with the regulations. VA also proposes to change the regulations by removing all of the provisions for discounts of billed charges. This is expected to reduce or eliminate duplicate discounting and thereby prevent unintended underpayments to the government.
  Comments Deadline: March 15, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM35.''
  Contact: Romona Greene, Manager of Rates and Charges, VHA Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a summary of thirteen legal interpretations issued by the Department's General Counsel, involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by VA, in the Federal Register on February 21 and 22, 2007. These interpretations are considered precedential by VA and will be followed by VA officials and employees in future claim matters. The summary is published to provide the public, and, in particular, veterans' benefit claimants and their representatives, with notice of VA's interpretation regarding the legal matter at issue. The full text of such opinions, with personal identifiers deleted, may be accessed on the Internet at: http://www1.va.gov/OGC/page.cfm?pg=2. Contact: Susan P. Sokoll, Law Librarian, Department of Veterans Affairs (026H), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 5, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on February 27 through March 1, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include briefings on initiatives of the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, acronym title="Department of Veterans Affairs'">VA's Homeless Program and Incarcerated Veterans Re-entry Initiative; an update on activities of the Center for Women Veterans; and an overview of the Department's initiatives, budget, current legislation affecting women veterans, the VHA Women Veterans Health Program, and the Committee will receive updates and briefings on the status of acronym title="Department of Veterans Affairs'">VA's Fee Service Program, domestic violence, the new Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services Program, and the Center for Minority Veterans.
  Contact: Chanel Bankston-Carter at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans (OOW), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax: (202) 273-7092, or e-mail: OOW@mail.va.gov.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 5, 2007, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on February 21 and 22, 2007. The agenda for the meeting will feature updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine, to include the Center's preliminary analysis of earnings. The Commission will receive presentations on the draft site visit summary report and several draft Issue Papers in various stages of development. The Commission will also receive comments from interested parties on two topics related to specific Research Questions approved by the Commission on October 14, 2005. The two topics will be: Survivors' Concurrent Receipt; and Time Limit to File.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• Copayment for Medication - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 1, 2007, that there is no change in the medication copayment rate for Calendar Year 2007 and the rate will remain at $8.00. The total amount of copayments in a calendar year for a veteran enrolled in one of the priority groups 2 through 6 shall not exceed the cap of $960.00. These increases are based on calculations based on the Prescription Drug component of the Medical Consumer Price Index and as provided in Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, part 17, Sec. 17.110.
  Effective Date: January 1, 2006.
  Contact: Tony Guagliardo, Director, Business Policy (163), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-0406.

• Means Test and Geographic Thresholds - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 1, 2007, of the VA Means Test Thresholds, Medicare Deductible Rate, and Child Income Exclusion for calendar year 2007.
  VA Web site: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/VAIncomeThresholds/.
  Contact: Chief Business Office (16), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0406.

[January 2007]

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 29, 2007, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC on April 25 and 26, 2007. The agenda will include presentations on VA research initiatives in areas that affect aging and dementia treatment initiatives. Other topics will include Primary Care Geriatrics Performance Measures and Geriatric Primary Care Panel Size Analysis, and performance oversight of the VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers.
  Contact: Marcia Holt-Delaney, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8540.

• Headstone and Marker Application Process - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on January 19, 2007, that it intends to amend its regulations concerning headstones and markers furnished by the Government through the National Cemetery Administration headstone and marker program. The proposed amendments are necessary to update ordering procedures for headstones and markers and to provide instructions for requesting the addition of a new emblem of belief to VA's list of emblems of belief available for inscription on Government-furnished headstones and markers. The proposed amendments would also establish criteria to guide VA's decisions on requests to add new emblems of belief to the list.
  Comments Deadline: March 20, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM53--Headstone and Marker Application Process.''
  Contact: Lindee Lenox, Director, Memorial Programs Service, Office of Field Programs, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 501-3100.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published two notices in the Federal Register on January 18, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on (1) February 1, 2007, at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky; and (2) February 9, 2007, at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Livermore Division, Livermore, California.
  The objective of the meeting in Lexington is to provide the Secretary with advice regarding the selection of a business planning option from the business planning options selected by the Secretary for further study.
  The objective of the meeting in Livermore is to provide the Secretary with advice regarding the selection of a business planning option from the business planning options selected by the Secretary for further study.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@va.gov.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 18, 2007, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on February 1, 2007, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of the VA research portfolio and a summary of current budget allocations. The Council will also provide feedback on the direction/focus of VA's research initiatives.
  Contact: Jay Freedman, PhD, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (352) 392-8066; e-mail: jay.freedman@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans; Notice of Availability of Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register January 18, 2007, that the 2006 Annual Report of the VA Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans has been issued. The report summarizes activities and recommendations of the Committee on matters relative to VA programs and policies affecting Homeless veterans.
  Availability: Federal Advisory Committee Desk, Library of Congress, Washington DC 20540; and the Center for Minority Veterans, Suite 435, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Availability of Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register January 18, 2007, that the 2006 Annual Report of the VA Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans has been issued. The report summarizes activities and recommendations of the Committee on matters relative to VA programs and policies affecting minority veterans.
  Availability: Federal Advisory Committee Desk, Library of Congress, Washington DC 20540; and the Center for Minority Veterans, Suite 435, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480.

• Notice of Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on January 16, 2007, that it intends to conduct a recurring computer-matching program with the Office of Personnel Management. The VA will match pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation records with Office of Personnel Management recipient records. The goal of this match is to compare income status as reported to the VA with benefit records maintained by the Office of Personnel Management.
  Effective Date: February 15, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or on-line through: http://www.Regulations.gov.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman (212A); telephone: (202) 273-7280.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 10, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on January 22 and 23, 2007, at the Phoenix Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Committee shall assemble and review information relating to the needs of homeless veterans and provide advice on the most appropriate means of offering assistance to homeless veterans. The Committee will make recommendations to the Secretary regarding such activities.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register January 9, 2007, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on March 5 through 8, 2007, in Arlington, Virginia. The meeting will be open to the public for the discussion of administrative matters, the general status of the program and the administrative details of the review process. The meeting will be closed for the Board's review of research and development applications.
  Contact: Dr. Denise Burton, Federal Designated Officer, Portfolio Manager, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0268.

• Veteran's Disability Benefits Commission - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 5, 2007, that theVeteran's Disability Benefits Commission will meet on January 18 and 19, 2007, in Washington, DC The agenda for the meeting will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Insititue of Medicine.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.

• Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007, to amend adjudication regulations to reflect changes made by Public Law 108-183, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003. This public law added service in the Philippine Scouts as qualifying service for payment of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and monetary burial benefits at the full-dollar rate, and provided for payment of DIC at the full-dollar rate to survivors of certain veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrilla forces who lawfully reside in the United States. This document adopts the interim final rule, which was published in the Federal Register on February 16, 2006 at 71 FR</ acronym> 8215, as a final rule with a technical correction.
  Effective Date: January 3, 2007.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.
  

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