Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans from the 109th Congress [December 2006 - January 2005]

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

[December 2006]

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 28, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on January 22, 2007, at the VA Medical Center in Saint Albans, New York.
  The purpose of the meeting is to present and receive public comment on the proposed capital plan for new facilities at Saint Albans and the process for receiving community input on developing reuse proposals for portions of the campus that will be vacated.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@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 December 22, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' for nonservice-connected medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • 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
  • 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://www1.va.gov/CBO/rates.asp; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Effective date: January 1, 2007.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Extension of the Presumptive Period for Compensation for Gulf War Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on December 18, 2006, to amend its adjudication regulations regarding compensation for disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses suffered by veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War. This amendment is necessary to extend the presumptive period for qualifying chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses that must become manifest to a compensable degree in order that entitlement for compensation be established. The intended effect of this amendment is to provide consistency in VA adjudication policy and preserve certain rights afforded to Persian Gulf War veterans and ensure fairness for current and future Persian Gulf War veterans.
  Effective Date: December 18, 2006.
  Comments Deadline: February 16, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM47--Extension of the Presumptive Period for Compensation for Gulf War Veterans.''
  Contact: Rhonda Ford, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7210.
  

• Transfer of Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Entitlement to Dependents - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 18, 2006, to implement VA's authority under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 and the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to provide educational assistance to dependents eligible for transferred Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB) entitlement. The legislation authorized the Department of Defense (DoD) to offer individuals in the Armed Forces, who have critical military skills, the option to transfer up to 18 months of their MGIB entitlement to their dependents as a reenlistment incentive. In addition, the rule implements a provision in the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, which increased the maximum amount of benefits payable under DoD's college fund program.
  Effective Date: December 18, 2006.
  Contact: Lynn Nelson (225C), Education Advisor, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7294.

• 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 December 14, 2006, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on March 6 through 8, 2007, in San Francisco, California. The following subcommittees will convene:
  • Chronic Disease Management & Long Term Aging
  • Equity/Women's Health review group
  • Implementation and Management Research Science
  • General Health Services Research
  • Nursing Research Initiative
  • Special Populations
  The 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.

[November 2006]

• Medical: Informed Consent--Extension of Time Period and Modification of Witness Requirement for Signature Consent - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, November 28, 2006, to amend VA medical regulations on informed consent, by (1) extending the period of time during which a signed consent form remains valid from 30 to 60 days; and by (2) eliminating the requirement that a third party witness the patient or surrogate and practitioner signing the consent form; except in those circumstances where the patient or surrogate signs with an ``X'' due to a debilitating illness or disability, or because the patient is unable to read or write.
  Effective Date: December 28, 2006.
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, Ethics Policy Service, 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.

• Loan Guaranty: Loan Servicing and Claims Procedures Modifications - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a supplemental notice in the Federal Register on November 27, 2006, 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. The supplemental notice provides specific information regarding the computer-based system that VA proposes to implement as part of the loan servicing and claims procedure modifications in this rulemaking. VA is reopening the comment period for the limited purpose of accepting public comments concerning the supplemental information provided in this notice.
  Note: Comments previously received regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking for RIN 2900-AL65, published February 18, 2005 (70 FR 8472), will still be considered in the rulemaking process and do not need to be resubmitted.
  Comments deadline: December 11, 2006.
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 24, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on December 13 and 14, 2006, at the VA Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia. The Committee will review the responses to the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans 2006 report and receive information and reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other Federal departments. Also, the Committee will continue to receive reports and begin preparation of its upcoming annual report and recommendations to the Secretary.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• 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 November 20, 2006, that the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will conduct a telephone conference call meeting on December 4, 2006, in Washington, DC. This meeting will focus on the clinical research program and will be open to the public for approximately one hour at the start of the meeting to discuss the general status of the program. The remaining portion of the meeting will be closed to the public for the review, discussion, and evaluation of initial and renewal projects.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Phase-In of Full Concurrent Receipt of Military Retired Pay and Veterans Disability Compensation for Certain Military Retirees - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 20, 2006, to amend its regulations concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation. This final rule implements section 641 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136). This law permits certain veterans who are entitled to military retired pay and are receiving disability compensation for a service-connected disability (or a combination of service-connected disabilities) rated at 50 percent or higher to receive disability compensation as well as their military retired pay. The intended effect of the regulation is to clearly state who is eligible for concurrent receipt of disability compensation and military retired pay, who must waive military retired pay to receive disability compensation, and how to file such a waiver.
  Effective Date: November 20, 2006.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 16, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on December 7 and 8, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee agenda will include updates on the Spinal Cord Injury Vocational Support Program, Disabled Transition Assistance Program, Seamless Transition, implementation of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force recommendations, employment initiatives, and other rehabilitation program initiatives.
  Contact: Jennifer Smith, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration (28), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7308

• 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 November 14, 2006, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on December 11 through 12, 2006, 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: 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.

• Board of Contract Appeals; The Establishment of The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the Termination of The Boards of Contract Appeals of the General Services Administration and the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs - The General Services Administration (GSA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 9, 2006 regarding consolidation of Federal boards of contract appeals. In section 847 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Public Law 109-163, Congress established the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) within GSA to hear and decide contract disputes involving executive agencies (other than the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Postal Service, the Postal Rate Commission, and the Tennessee Valley Authority) under the provisions of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 and regulations and rules issued thereunder. Boards of contract appeals currently exist at the General Services Administration and the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs. Effective January 6, 2007, all of those boards in existence on that date will terminate, and their cases, Board judges, and other personnel will transfer to the new Civilian Board.
  Effective Date: January 6, 2007.
  GSA Contact: Margaret S. Pfunder, Chief Counsel, GSA Board of Contract Appeals; telephone: (202) 501-0272; e-mail: margaret.pfunder@gsa.gov.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 1, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2006. The agenda for the meeting will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine. The Commission will receive initial presentations on several draft Issue Papers. The Commission will also review and approve an Issue Paper outlining the Commission's position to recommend lump sum payments be removed from consideration as an option for compensating veterans with disabilities.
  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.

[October 2006]

• Notice and Assistance Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 31, 2006, to amend its regulation governing VA's duty to provide a claimant with notice of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate a claim and VA's duty to assist a claimant in obtaining the evidence necessary to substantiate the claim. The purpose of these proposed changes is to clarify when VA has no duty to notify a claimant of how to substantiate a claim for benefits, to make the regulation comply with statutory changes, and to streamline the development of claims.
  Comments Deadline: January 2, 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 through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM17.''
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 30, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on November 15, 2006 in Canandaigua, New York.
  The objectives of the meeting are to communicate the Secretary's decision on the specific options to be evaluated and the timeframe for the completion of the study. Additional presentations will focus on the VA-selected contractor's methodology and tools to evaluate the remaining options. The agenda will also accommodate public commentary on implementation issues associated with each option.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.va.gov.

• VA Directive and Handbook 5021, Employee/Management Relations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice with request for comments in the Federal Register October 27, 2006, that VA is making a technical amendment to VA Handbook 5021, Employee/Management Relations, dated April 15, 2002, to correct the citation for the Secretary's authority to issue regulations. Section 7421 of Title 38 provides the authority for the Secretary to prescribe by regulation the hours and conditions of employment and leaves of absence of certain employees of the Veterans Health Administration.
  Comment Deadline: November 27, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Catherine Baranek, Employee Relations Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Human Resources Management (051E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (336) 631-5019.

• 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 October 26, 2006, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet at Community Center of the VA Medical Center, in Dallas, Texas on November 6 and 7, 2006. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last Committee meeting. Additionally, there will be scientific presentations on research programs and studies related to Gulf War illnesses at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, an update on the VA Gulf War tissue repository, 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.

• Special Medical Advisory Group; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 26, 2006, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2006. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of the Veterans Health Administration's leadership transition, an update of the information technology reorganization, CARES, Project HERO, graduate medical education, staff tenure, the physician pay bill, and public relations with regard to the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom population.
  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 October 17, 2006, 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 2006, 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.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Report of Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 16, 2006, that it intends to continue a recurring computer-matching program with the Social Security Administration. The Department of Veterans Affairs will match pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation records with Social Security Administration records.
  Effective Date: November 13, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman (212A); telephone: (757) 858-6148, ext. 107.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 13, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on October 31 through November 2, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include briefings and updates presented by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), highlighting VA research and studies related to women's health issues, a briefing from VHA's Women Veterans Health Program Director, legislative issues related to veterans, presentation of Certificates of Appointment to six new Committee members, upcoming initiatives of the Center for Women Veterans; briefings and updates presented on VA's polytrauma program, VHA's Office of Seamless Transition, VA's HealthierUS Veterans Initiative, VA Homeless Programs and Initiatives, and an ethics briefing for Committee members; also, the committee will be briefed and updated on issues in the Veterans Benefits Administration, from the VA Chief of Staff, on VA mental health programs, and from the 2005 Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service (DACOWITS) Report.
  Contact: Desiree Long 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.

• Notice of a Computer Matching Agreement - The Department of Defense published a notice in the Federal Register on October 12, 2006, that Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records are being matched by computer. The purpose is to verify eligibility for the DoD/USCG members of the Reserve forces who receive VA disability compensation or pension to also receive military pay and allowances when performing reserve duty.
  Effective Date: November 13, 2006.
  DoD Address: Director, Defense Privacy Office, 1901 South Bell Street, Suite 920, Arlington, Virginia 22202-4512.
  DoD Contact: Mr. Vahan Moushegian; telephone: (703) 607-29437.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on October 19 and 20, 2006. The agenda will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses; comments from stakeholders and the public on the Center for Naval Analyses' draft report on lump sum payments as an option for compensating veterans with disabilities; a continuing discussion of the line of duty and concurrent receipt issue papers presented at the September 14 meeting of the Commission; a new draft issue paper on character at discharge; a summary of the final site visit to the Southern Region conducted in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia; and updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Institute of Medicine.
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 5, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on November 8 and 9, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues; tour the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, the Annapolis National Cemetery and the United States Naval Academy Cemetery, in Maryland; and discuss 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: mike.nacincik @mail.va.gov.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 5, 2006, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on October 26, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will discuss their final report to the Secretary, review current licensure and certification data, receive certificates of appreciation, discuss recommendations to the Secretary, statements from the public, old business, and any new business.
  Contact: Sal Garner, Education Service (225B), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• 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 3, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Washington, DC, for October 17 and 18, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies (the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), as well as research information (the premature disclosure of which would be likely to compromise significantly the implementation of proposed agency action regarding such research projects).
  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 CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on October 19, 2006 in Saint Albans, New York.
  The agenda will include a discussion of the summary of the proposed space plan and siting of new multi-specialty outpatient clinic on the VA Medical Center Saint Albans campus.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.va.gov.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on ember 13 and 14, 2006 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 November 13, there will be a presentation by Department of Veterans Affairs' Public Health and Environmental Hazards Office.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211; fax: (202) 275-1728.

[September 2006]

• 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, 2006, 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, 2006.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Clarification of a Notice of Disagreement - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 28, 2006, amending regulations governing appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals to clarify the actions an agency of original jurisdiction must take to determine whether a written communication from a claimant that is ambiguous in its purpose is intended to be a Notice of Disagreement with an adverse claims decision.
  Effective Date: October 30, 2006.
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 22, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on October 24 through 25, 2006, in Anchorage, Alaska. The agenda will include panel discussions with key staff members from the Alaska VA Health Center Care System, Regional Office, and Fort Richardson National Cemetery on services and benefit delivery challenges, successes and concerns for the Anchorage area veterans; a panel discussion with Native tribal leadership on their concerns, assessments and observations of Alaskan Native veteran's needs; a panel discussion with area Veterans Service Organizations; and a town hall meeting at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown.
  Contact: Juanita Mullen or Renaee Allen, 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.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 22, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War scheduled a meeting on October 16 through 18, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois. The Committee will receive reports from the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration. The Committee will also get an update from the Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoner of War Studies.
  Contact: Linda Piquet, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Dependents and Survivors - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, September 20, 2006, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language general provisions applicable to its compensation and pension regulations, including those relating to dependents and survivors of veterans and other VA claimants and beneficiaries. 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: November 20, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AL94.''
  Contact: Bob White, Acting Chief, Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on October 5 and 6, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee sessions will include discussions on recent legislation, a total force GI Bill, remedial education programs and other needs of Iraq War veterans, use of private and corporate funds to support educational programs, and a contract call center.
  Contact: Judith Timko, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on October 3 and 4, 2006, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive briefings by the Chief Consultant, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group; Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Director of Ophthalmology and Optometry; Chief Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer; and the Chief Research and Development Officer.
  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.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2006, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on October 16, 2006 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.

• Alaska Native Veteran Allotments - The Bureau of Land Management published a final rule in the Federal Register, September 14, 2006, to amend its regulations governing Alaska Native veteran allotments. The existing regulations allowed certain Alaska Native veterans another opportunity to apply for a Native allotment under the repealed Native Allotment Act of 1906. This final rule will remove the requirement that veteran applicants must have posted the land by marking all corners on the ground with their name and address prior to filing an application with BLM. This change to the regulations will make the processing of Alaska Native veteran allotments more like that of allotments adjudicated under the 1906 act.
  Effective Date: October 16, 2006.
  Bureau of Land Management Contact: Linda Resseguie, Division of Conveyance Management, Bureau of Land Management, 222 West 7th Avenue, 13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513; phone: (907) 271-5422.

• Claims Based on Aggravation of a Nonservice-Connected Disability - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 7, 2006, to amend adjudication regulations concerning secondary service connection. This amendment is necessary because of a court decision that clarified the circumstances under which a veteran may be compensated for an increase in the severity of an otherwise nonservice-connected condition which is caused by aggravation from a service-connected condition. The intended effect of this amendment is to conform Department of Veterans regulations to the court's decision.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities; Guidelines for Application of Evaluation Criteria for Certain Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions; Evaluation of Hypertension With Heart Disease - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 6, 2006, to amend the Schedule for Rating Disabilities by adding guidelines for the evaluation of certain respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and by explaining that hypertension will be evaluated separately from hypertensive and other types of heart diseases.
  Effective Date: October 6, 2006.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• New and Material Evidence - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 6, 2006, amend its rules regarding the reconsideration of decisions on claims for benefits based on newly discovered service records received after the initial decision on a claim. The revision will provide consistency in adjudication of certain types of claims.
  Effective Date: October 6, 2006.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Forfeiture; Correction - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 5, 2006, to amend its regulations concerning forfeiture of benefit payments and improved pension payments. A review of VAs adjudication regulations revealed a need for clarification and minor typographical errors. This document makes changes to provide clarification and eliminate the errors. The effect of these actions is to clarify the respective regulations.
  Effective Date: September 5, 2006.
  Contact: Trude Steele, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 1, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on September 18, 2006 in Brockton, Massachusetts; September 20, 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky; and on September 25, 2006 in Walla Walla, Washington.
  The objectives of the meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts and Lexington, Kentucky are to communicate the Secretary's decision on the specific options to be evaluated and the timeframe for the completion of the studies. Additional presentations will focus on the VA-selected contractor's methodology and tools to evaluate the remaining options. The agendas will also accommodate public commentary on implementation issues associated with each option. Featured agenda items of the meeting in Walla Walla, Washington include a discussion of the summary of the proposed space plan and siting of the new multi-specialty outpatient clinic on the VA Medical Center Walla Walla campus.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@mail.va.gov.

[August 2006]

• 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 August 31, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Rockville, Maryland, for August 31, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies (the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), as well as research information (the premature disclosure of which would be likely to compromise significantly the implementation of proposed agency action regarding such research projects).
  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.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 30, 2006, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on October 12 through 13, 2006, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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.

• Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee); Notice of Meeting - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 30, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will meet on September 7, 2006, in Rockville, Maryland. The committee will discuss the following items: (1) Summary of Dioxin 2006 presentations; (2) summary of Technical Reports and manuscripts; (3) summary of transition activities.
  FDA Contact: Leonard Schechtman, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138; code 3014512560.

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program--Initial Evaluations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 28, 2006, to amend regulations concerning initial evaluations of individuals who apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. These proposed regulations are intended to reflect changes in law, VA's interpretation of applicable law and its determinations of procedures appropriate for use in the initial evaluation, to improve readability, and to make other nonsubstantive changes.
  Comments Deadline: October 27, 2006.
  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 through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM25.''
  
  Contact: Catherine Kruger, Senior Policy Analyst, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (28), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7344; or Mark Hawkins, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6923.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2006 Mid Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 25, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' for a nonservice-connected disability:
  • 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://www1.va.gov/cbo, under ``Charge Data (Rates).''
  Effective date: August 25, 2006.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Medicare-Equivalent Remittance Advice; Use by the Department of Veterans Affairs - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making a change in its procedures for seeking reimbursement from third-party insurers for certain medical care and services provided to Medicare-eligible veterans for nonservice-connected disabilities, to add a Medicare-equivalent remittance advice (MRA) as an attachment to each bill for such care and services provided by VA, with the exception of services noted in the complete regulation.
  Effective Date: August 22, 2006.
  Contact: Barbara C. Mayerick, VHA Chief Business Office (161), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0337.

• 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 22, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on September 8, 2006, at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, in Livermore, California. The meeting is open to the public.
  The objectives of the Local Advisory Panel meeting are to communicate the Secretary's decision on the specific options to be evaluated and the timeframe for the completion of the study. Additional presentations will focus on the VA-selected contractor's methodology and tools to evaluate the remaining options. The agenda will also accommodate public commentary on implementation issues associated with each option.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@mail.va.gov.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 18, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for September 5, 2006, in Atlanta, GA. The Commission is conducting the final of eight fact-finding, data-gathering site visits throughout the United States. The Atlanta area was selected based on criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members and National Guard and Reserves, and the location of Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, with particular interest in transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities; examine the processes in place which assist disabled veterans and service members, and survivors in their efforts to obtain benefits and to present these individuals and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission and to offer comments in face-to-face forums.
  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.intranets.com.

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 18, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet on September 7 and 8, 2006 in Washington, DC. The agenda will focus on coordination of services between VA and the Department of Defense as this relates to ensuring a seamless transition for returning war veterans; deployment-related problems faced by service members and their families; Battlemind Training as developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research; current activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center program to serve the veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; partnership between VA and DOD in implementing the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Program; 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 bob.potts@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-8969.

• Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Defense published a notice in the Federal Register on August 17, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction will meet on November 8 and 9, 2006, at the Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, Virginia. The agenda will include The agenda will include briefings on:
  • ``Recent Activities and Actions of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health'' by Dr. Paul Ziemer;
  • ``Activities and Actions of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards'' by Dr. Henry Royal;
  • ``Radiation Exposure Compensation Act: Adjudication of Onsite Participant Claims'' by Mrs. Dianne Spellberg;
  • ``How Fears Affect Our Standing of Radiation and Risks'' by Mr. Raymond Johnson;
  • ``An Update on NTPR Dose Reconstruction Program'' by Dr. Paul Blake; and
  • ``An Update on VA Radiation Claims Compensation Program for Veterans'' by Mr. Thomas Pamperin.
  Advisory Board Contact: The Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction hotline: 1-866-657-8237.
  Website: http://vbdr.org/

• Priority for Partial Grants to States for Construction or Acquisition of State Home Facilities - The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006, to amend regulations regarding grants to States for construction or acquisition of State homes. This amendment is 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: August 11, 2006.
  Comments Deadline: October 10, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM42.''
  Contact: Frank Salvas, Chief, State Home Construction Grant Program (114), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-8534.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs; Public Meeting - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs has scheduled a public meeting on September 12 and 13, 2006. The meeting will be held in 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 Benefits Act of 2003 and Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 8, 2006, amend its adjudication regulations to incorporate certain provisions from the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 and the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. Specifically, this document amends the VA's adjudication regulations regarding:
  • plot or interment allowance eligibility,
  • forfeiture of benefits,
  • dependency and indemnity compensation payments,
  • the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990, as amended,
  • exclusions from income for pension purposes,
  • benefits for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA,
  • effective date of death pension, and
  • diseases subject to presumptive service connection.
  This document also amends VA's adjudication regulations to reflect the establishment of the Social Security Administration as an independent agency and that the Coast Guard is now under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Homeland Security. These amendments are necessary to conform the regulations to the statutory amendments.
  Effective Date: August 8, 2006.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 1, 2006, that VA will conduct a recurring computer matching program with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). VA will match pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) records with RRB recipient records. The goal of this match is to compare income status as reported to VA with benefit records maintained by RRB.
  VA will file a report of the subject matching agreement with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OBM).
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman (212A), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (757) 858-6148, extension 107.

• Poverty Threshold - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 1, 2006, that VA will not publish the annual weighted average poverty threshold figures in the Federal Register, as previously announced. Instead, interested parties may obtain that information directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site.
  U.S. Census Bureau's Web site: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/threshld.html.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 28, 2006, that the meetings of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2006 have been cancelled.
  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.

[July 2006]

• Definition of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 28, 2006, to amend the regulations to define the term ``psychosis.'' The term is used but not defined in certain statutes that provide presumptive service connection for compensation. The intended effect of this amendment is consistent application of these statutory provisions.
  Effective Date: August 28, 2006.
  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) 273-7211.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 25, 2006, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on August 14 through 15, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War Veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last committee meeting. Additionally, there will be presentations and discussion of changes in immune function and inflammation and immune responses in the central nervous system associated with chronic multisymptom illnesses and/or chemical exposures.
  Contact: Dr. William Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• 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 July 25, 2006, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on August 28 through 31, 2006, 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 on August 28 through August 29 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on August 30 through August 31 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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.

• Home Schooling and Educational Institution - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 13, 2006, 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 proposes to define 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.
  Comments Deadline: September 11, 2006.
  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 through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM37.''
  
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2006, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on July 21, 2006, in Orlando, Florida. The Committee's agenda will include a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit.
  Contact: Stacey St. Holder, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for July 13 and 14, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda for the meeting will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Institute of Medicine and the Center for Naval Analyses; an Institute of Medicine report of its Committee review of PTSD diagnosis and assessment; additional presentations related to PTSD, post-deployment health and eligibility verification; and an expanded discussion of quality of life and follow-up reporting on additional programs serving seriously injured and disabled veterans and service members.
  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.intranets.com.

• Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations; 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 July 3, 2006, of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations.
  The Panel will advise the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Health on a comprehensive philosophical framework to enhance VA's partnerships with medical schools and affiliated institutions. The Panel will be guided by VA's strategic planning initiative to assure equitable, harmonious, and synergistic academic affiliations. During the Panel's deliberations, those affiliations will be broadly assessed in light of changes in medical education, research priorities, and the health care needs of veterans.
  The Panel is expected to complete its work within 18 months after its first meeting..

[June 2006]

• National Research Advisory Council, Notice of Meeting -The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 29, 2006, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on July 31, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review and discussion of the council's annual report for 2006 and a strategic overview of VA research.
  Contact: Dr. Jay Freedman, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0267; e-mail: jay.freedman@va.gov.

• Accrued Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 29, 2006, to amend adjudication regulations relating to accrued benefits.
  Comments Deadline: August 28, 2006.
  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 through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM28.''
  
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) and the Department of Defense (DoD) - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 16, 2006, that the Department will conduct a recurring computer matching program. This will match personnel records of the Department of Defense with VA records of benefit recipients under the Montgomery GI Bill. The goal of these matches is to identify the eligibility status of veterans, servicemembers, and reservists who have applied for or who are receiving education benefit payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. The goal of these matches is to identify the eligibility status of veterans, servicemembers, and reservists who have applied for or who are receiving education benefit payments under the Montgomery GI Bill. The purpose of the match is to enable VA to verify that individuals meet the conditions of military service and eligibility criteria for payment of benefits determined by VA under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty and the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve.
  Effective Date: July 17, 2006; at the expiration of 18 months after the commencing date the Departments may renew the agreement for another 12 months.
  Contact: Michael Yunker (225B), Strategy and Legislative Development Team Leader, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7180.

• 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 June 14, 2006, 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 August 2006, in Washington, DC. The meeting will focus on evaluating Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory proposals submitted by VA investigators.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Veterans' Preference - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published an interim rule with requests for comments in the Federal Register on June 9, 2006, to implement statutory changes to veterans' preference contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006. These changes expand the definition of a veteran and clarify veterans' preference eligibility for individuals discharged or released from active duty. The intended effect of these changes is to provide conformity between veterans' preference laws and Office of Personnel Management regulations.
  Effective date: June 9, 2006.
  Comments Deadline: August 8, 2006.
  Address: Send or deliver written comments to 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. Comments may also be sent through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. All submissions received through the Portal must include the agency name and docket number or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) for this rulemaking (RIN 3206-ALOO).
  OPM Contact: Scott A. Wilander; telephone: (202) 606-0960; facsimile: (202) 606-0390; TTY: (202) 606-3134; e-mail at: linda.watson@opm.gov.

• 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 June 2, 2006, 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 June 2006, in Washington, DC. The meetings will involve discussion, examination, reference to staff and consultant critiques of research protocols.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 2, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for June 21 and 22, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda clude an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs National Compensation and Pension Exam Program; with additional briefings by QTC, Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Health Administration to address the process, quality, timeliness and cost of compensation and pension examinations; a summary report of the Commission's site visit to California; a Government Accountability Office presentation on its findings on a study conducted to assess VA's Individual Unemployability program; and updates on the progress of the research and studies being conducted by the Institute of Medicine and the Center for Naval Analyses.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.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 June 1, 2006, 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 19 and 20, 2006. 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.
  Contact: Mr. Krishna Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Facilities Quality Service, Office of Facilities Management (181A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 1, 2006, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on June 26 and 27, 2006 in Washington, DC. The agenda will include analyses of medical and scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation and a presentation by the Department's Public Health and Environmental Hazards Office.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211; fax: (202) 275-1728.

[May 2006]

• Matters Affecting the Receipt of Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, May 31, 2006, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language regulations relating to determinations involving bars to benefits, forfeiture of benefits, and renouncement of benefits. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension regulations 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 regulations.
  Comments Deadline: July 31, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AM05.''
  Contact: Bob White, Acting Chief, Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Amended Delegation of Authority--Property Management Contractor - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 30, 2006, to amend its delegation of authority to the property management contractor under its housing loan program. This amendment will permit the property management contractor's Regional Managers to execute documents necessary for the management and sale of single-family properties acquired by VA under its housing loan guaranty program.
  Effective Date: May 30, 2006.
  Contact: William Lutes, Assistant Director for Property Management and Strategic Development (263), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7379.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 22, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for June 5, 2006, in San Diego, California. The Commission is conducting the fifth of eight fact-finding site visits throughout the United States. The San Diego area was selected based upon criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members and National guard and Reserves, and the location of VA and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities that are particularly involved in the transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities; examine the processes in place which assist disabled veterans, service members, and survivors in their efforts to obtain benefits; and to present these individuals and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission in face-to-face forums.
  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.intranets.com.

• Individuals and Groups Considered To Have Performed Active Military, Naval, or Air Service - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 19, 2006, that the service of the group known as ``North Korean Civilian Partisans Recruited, Trained, and Commanded for Military Operations by the U.S. Eighth Army, 8240th Army Unit Far East Liaison Detachment, on the Korean Peninsula and Accompanying Islands from January 15, 1951, Through July 27, 1953'' shall not be considered ``active duty'' for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  Section 401 of Public Law 95-202, The GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977, authorized the Secretary of Defense to determine whether the service of members of civilian or contractual groups should be considered active duty for the purposes of all laws administered by VA. In Department of Defense Directive 1000.20, September 11, 1989, the Secretary of Defense delegated this authority to the Secretary of the Air Force. In the Federal Register on October 1, 1999 (64 FR 53364-65), and October 21, 1999 (64 FR 56773-74), the Secretary of the Air Force published notices stating that the service of the members of the following three groups shall be considered ``active duty'' under the provisions of Public Law 95-202 for the purposes of all laws administered by VA:
  • the group described as the ``three scouts/guides,'' Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and Cristino Dela Cruz, who assisted the U.S. Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana Islands from June 19, 1944, through September 2, 1945;
  • the approximately 50 Chamorro and Carolinian former native policemen, who received military training in the Donnal area of central Saipan and were placed under the command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police Battalion to accompany United States Marines on active combat-patrol activity from August 19, 1945, to September 2, 1945; and
  • the Operational Analysis Group of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, Office of Emergency Management, which served overseas with the U.S. Army Air Corps from December 7, 1941, through August 15, 1945.
  W e are including these three groups in 38 CFR 3.7(x).
  Effective Date: May 19, 2006.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Remarriage of a Surviving Spouse - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 19, 2006, amend its adjudication regulations regarding benefits for surviving spouses to reflect statutory changes that affect the eligibility of those surviving spouses who remarry after ages 55 and 57.
  Effective Date: May 19, 2006.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• 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 May 18, 2006, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on August 28 through 30, in Boston, Massachusetts. The following subcommittees will convene:
  • Implementation and Management Research Science
  • Chronic Disease Management & Long Term Aging
  • General Health Services Research
  • Special Populations
  • Nursing Research Initiative
  • Equity/Women's Health review group
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 15, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet conduct a site visit on June 12 through 16, 2006, at the North Chicago VA Medical Center. The agenda will include briefings and updates from key leadership of the Medical Center and Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 12; from the VISN 12's Women Veterans Program Managers, VISN Seamless Transition Coordinator, and a VISN 12 official on mammography services. The Committee will receive briefings and updates on resident training at the VAMC and Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences; Chicago Regional Office operations to include women veterans activities, the Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs Office; and the National Cemetery Administration; polytrauma services at the Hines VAMC, inpatient/outpatient mental health services for women; the Evanston Vet Center, domiciliary and substance abuse programs, and the acute psychiatry unit. The Committee will also tour the Naval Hospital Great Lakes in Great Lakes, Illinois. On June 16, there will be an open forum and town hall meeting with the women veterans' community.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller 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.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 2, 2006, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses scheduled a meeting for May 15 and 16, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last committee meeting. Additionally, there will be presentations and discussion of background information on the Gulf War and Gulf War illnesses, application of proteomic and genomic research to the study of Gulf War illnesses, physiological mechanisms potentially underlying chronic symptoms affecting Gulf War veterans, and discussion of committee business and activities.
  Contact: Dr. William J. Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

[April 2006]

• 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 18, 2006, 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 2006, in Washington, DC and the surrounding area. The subcommittees will review investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for merit review consideration and provide advice on research program priorities and policies.
  Contact: LeRoy G. Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 18, 2006, that the Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee will meet on May 3 and 6, 2006, in Sparks, Nevada. The agenda will include a variety of activities and presentations relative to the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities.
  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.

• Notice of Funds Availability: Inviting Applications for Section 601 Loan Guarantees for Multifamily Transitional Housing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 12, 2006, to announce the availability, submission requirements, and deadlines to submit applications for the VA Multifamily Transitional Housing Loan Guarantee Program. This is a pilot program, which authorizes VA to guarantee up to 15 loans with an aggregate value of $100 million to develop or implement housing and supportive services for homeless veterans. This Notice describes the commitment of program dollars, application process, eligibility requirements, minimum underwriting criteria, and evaluation criteria that VA will employ to select applications to receive a guarantee under the program. The program is authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. 2051, et. seq.
  The Application Package, a detailed manual outlining the standard operating procedures for the program and other program information can be found on the VA Web site: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=8
  Contact: VA Program; telephone: (202) 273-7462; e-mail: Multifamily.Loan@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 10, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on April 27 and 28, 2006, in Riverside, California. The Committee will receive updates on various National Cemetery Administration (NCA) issues, to include the impact of veteran demographics on NCA planning and the status of cemetery construction projects; and, the Committee will tour Riverside National Cemetery.
  Contact: Michael Nacincik, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5221; e-mail: mike.nacincik @mail.va.gov.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of Practice: Public Availability of Board Decisions - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 10, 2006, amending the Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) relating to public availability of Board decisions, to set forth the current methods for archiving and retrieving Board decisions for public use. Due to advances in technology, Board decisions issued on or after January 1, 1992, are currently available in redacted form for public inspection and copying on Web sites that are accessible through the Internet. This is an improvement from the past practice of archiving Board decisions in microfiche form with an accompanying index to facilitate public access to the decisions.
  Web Site: http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html Effective Date: April 10, 2006.
  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.

• 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 April 6, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Rockville, Maryland, for May 2, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of 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) 273-8539.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 6, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War scheduled a meeting on April 10 through 12, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda includes receiving reports from the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration; also, the Committee will receive an update from the Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoner of War Studies.
  Contact: Renee L. Szybala, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, & Similar Devices - The Department of the Army published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 5 2006, that the Army is revising their rule concerning the regulation that prescribes policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards.
  Effective Date: May 5, 2006.
  Department of the Army Contact: Ms. Denise Harris, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Military Awards Branch; telephone: (703) 325-9171.

• Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Defense published a notice in the Federal Register on April 3, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction will meet on June 8 and 9, 2006, in Austin, Texas. The agenda will include briefings on ``BEIR VII: Epidemiology and Models for Estimating Cancer Risks'' by Dr. Ethel Gilbert: ``Summary of Findings on Beta Dosimetry and Uncertainty From the Academy's Report on Dose Reconstructions for Atomic Veterans'' by Dr. Thomas Gesell; ``NTPR Dose Reconstruction and Veterans Communication Activities'' by Dr. Paul Blake; and ``VA Radiation Claims Compensation Program for Veterans'' by Mr. Thomas Pamperin.
  Advisory Board Contact: The Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction hotline: 1-866-657-8237.
  Website: http://vbdr.org/

[March 2006]

• General Provisions - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, March 31, 2006, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language general provisions applicable to its compensation and pension regulations, including definitions. 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 general provisions.
  Comments Deadline: May 30, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL87.''
  Contact: Bob White, Acting Chief, Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 29, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a town hall meeting for April 11, 2006, at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, 1801 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The meeting is open to the public. The Commission is conducting eight fact-finding site visits throughout the United States. The Chicago area was selected based upon criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard members, and reservist, and the co-location of Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities with particular interests in transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities, examine the processes in place which assist veterans in their efforts to obtain benefits, and to present veterans, survivors and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission and to offer comments in a face-to-face forum.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive License - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 27, 2006, that the Office of Research and Development, intends to grant to New England Compounding Pharmacy, Inc., 697 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA 01701 an exclusive license to practice U.S. Patent No. 6,569,615 issued, May 27, 2003, entitled, ``Compositions and Methods for Tissue Preservation''.
  Comments Deadline: April 11, 2006.
  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@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 22, 2006, of the establishment of the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Board. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Committee is both necessary and in the public interest.
  The Committee will provide advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the scientific and ethical issues related to the establishment, development, and operation of a genomic medicine program, and will make recommendations to utilize both genetic and other medical information in concert in order to promote optimal medical care and research that contributes to the Department's knowledge of diseases and disability. Specifically, the Committee will assess the potential impact of a VA genomic medicine program on existing VA patient care services, make recommendations regarding policies and procedures for tissue collection, storage and analysis, make recommendations on the development of a research agenda and recommend approaches by which research results can be incorporated into routine medical care.
  Committee members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from among knowledgeable experts and veterans with special competence to evaluate the genomic medicine needs of the Department. The Committee shall report regularly to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on its major activities and recommendations.

• 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 16, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on April 11 and 12, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive briefings by the Chief Consultant, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group, and Director, Rehabilitation Research and Development; briefings from the Directors of Seamless Transition Office, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, and Chief Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer; and briefings by the Chief Consultant, Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders 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.

• Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive License - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 16, 2006, that the Office of Research and Development, intends to grant to APMed Solutions, Inc. 3282 Alpine Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 an exclusive license to practice U.S. Patent No. 6,840,242 issued January 11, 2005, entitled ``Tracheostomy Aspiration Suction Tube''.
  Comments Deadline: March 31, 2006.
  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@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 16, 2006, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on April 5 and 6, 2006 in Washington, DC. The agenda for both days will be analyses 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.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210; fax: (202) 275-1728.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 16, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on April 3 through 6, 2006, at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, the VA Regional Office in Los Angeles, California, and the VA Long Beach Healthcare System in Long Beach, California. The agenda will include discussions regarding healthcare challenges and successes, hiring practices for minority veterans, transition concerns for returning combat wounded Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Service members, benefit services and delivery of benefits to minority veterans, and burial benefits delivery for minority veterans. Also, the Committee will engage in discussions with the Executive Director of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission and the Director of the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
  Contact: Elizabeth Olmo, 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.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 16, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on April 6 and 7, 2006. On April 6, the Committee will hold a ``town hall'' forum with Marine Corps and Navy personnel, at Camp Pendleton, California. On April 7, the Committee will hold a town hall forum with veterans and educators to discuss use of education benefits, at Oceanside, California.
  Contact: Judith Timko, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 10, 2006, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 6.7 acres at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The selected lessee would develop, finance, construct, manage, maintain and operate a commercial office building to house medical-related research and other permitted activities and an adjacent, smaller restaurant/retail building. The lessee would also be required to provide VA with monetary and in-kind consideration consisting of certain renovation and improvement work on the VAMC campus.
  Contact: Raymond N. Palmer, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8862.

• Medical: Informed Consent--Extension of Time Period and Modification of Witness Requirement for Signature Consent - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, March 9, 2006, to amend VA medical regulations on informed consent, by (1) extending the period of time during which a signed consent form remains valid from 30 to 60 days; and by (2) eliminating the requirement that a third party witness the patient or surrogate and practitioner signing the consent form; except in those circumstances where the patient or surrogate signs with an ``X'' due to a debilitating illness or disability, or because the patient is unable to read or write.
  Comments Deadline: May 8, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AM19.''
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, Ethics Policy Service, 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.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2006, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on March 29, 30, and 31, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee agenda will include updates on the Spinal Cord Injury Vocational Support Program, Disabled Transition Assistance Program, Seamless Transition, implementation of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force recommendations, employment initiatives, and other rehabilitation program initiatives.
  Contact: Janet LeClerc, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration (28), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail vrejlecl@vba.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-6952

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2006, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on March 24, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include an ethics briefing; discussions about system updates, new uses of the license and certification benefit, and outreach activities; a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit; and statements from the public.
  Contact: Stacey St. Holder, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Disciplinary Appeals Board Panel - Section 203 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-40), dated May 7, 1991, revised the disciplinary grievance and appeal procedures for employees appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1). It also required the periodic designation of employees of the Department who are qualified to serve on Disciplinary Appeals Boards. These employees constitute the Disciplinary Appeals Board panel from which Board members in a case are appointed. This notice, published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2006, announces that the roster of employees on the panel is available for review and comment. Employees, employee organizations, and other interested parties shall be provided, without charge, a list of the names of employees on the panel upon request and may submit comments concerning the suitability for service on the panel of any employee whose name is on the list.
  Requests for the list of names of employees on the panel and written comments may be directed to: Secretary of Veterans Affairs (051E), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; fax (202) 273-9776.
  Contact: Latoya Smith, Employee Relations and Performance Management Service, Office of Human Resources Management and Labor Relations, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9827.

[February 2006]

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 28, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on March 30 and 31, 2006, in Baltimore, MD. The Committee will receive reports from program experts, assess the availability of health care and benefit services, receive reports from other federal departments and advocacy groups and review other initiatives designed to assist veterans who are homeless.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• Administration of VA Educational Benefits--Centralized Certification - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a withdrawal of a proposed rule (published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2003) and promulgation of a new proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 22, 2006, on the same subject. The new proposed rule would amend Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rules governing certification of enrollment in approved courses for the training of veterans and other eligible persons under education benefit programs VA administers. Under this new proposed rule, VA would permit educational institutions with multi-state campuses to submit certifications to VA from a centralized location.
  Comments Deadline: April 24, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL43.''
  Contact: Lynn M. Nelson, Education Advisor, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (225C), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7294.

• Veterans and Dependents Education: Topping-Up Tuition Assistance; Licensing and Certification Tests; Duty To Assist Education Claimants - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 22, 2006, to amend the regulations governing various aspects of the education programs the Department of Veterans Affairs administers, in order to implement some provisions of the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000, the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, and the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 that affect those programs. Specifically, these statutory provisions include provisions for payment, 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. They also include provisions for payment under the Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty of the difference between the portion of tuition and expenses covered by tuition assistance programs administered by the various military departments and the actual charges made by educational institutions.
  Comments Deadline: April 24, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AK80.''
  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.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 17, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for March 16 and 17, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine, a report of the Commission's first site visit to Florida, an overview of the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training program, VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, the Veterans Health Administration's Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers, and the Military Seriously Injured Center as well as the Serious Injured Programs of the service branches.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 17, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission has scheduled a town hall meeting for March 6, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas.
  The Commission is conducting the second of eight fact-finding, data-gathering site visits throughout the United States. The San Antonio area was selected based on criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members and National Guard and Reserves, and the location of Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and Department of Defense facilities, with particular interest in transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense facilities; examine the processes in place which assist disabled veterans and service members, and survivors in their efforts to obtain benefits and to present these individuals and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission and to offer comments in face-to-face forums.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups - The Department of the Air Force (USAF) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 15, 2006, that the service of the group known as ``North Korean Civilian Partisans Recruited, Trained, and Commanded for Military Operations by the U.S. Eighth Army, 8240th Army Unit Far East Liaison Detachment, on the Korean Peninsula and Accompanying Islands from January 15, 1951, Through July 27, 1953'' shall not be considered ``active duty'' for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  USAF Contact: Mr. James D. Johnston at the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor, Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002.

• 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 February 14, 2006, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on February 27 through March 2, 2006, 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 on February 27 and March 1 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on February 28 and March 2 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 14, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on March 20 through 23, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include briefings on initiatives of the Veterans Health Administration, updates from the Veterans Benefits Administration, a roundtable discussion of VA's Women Veterans Health Program, an update on activities of the Center for Women Veterans, briefings and updates on issues related to the National Cemetery Administration, the Center for Veterans Enterprise, and initiatives of VA's homeless programs.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller 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.

• Filipino Veterans' Benefits Improvements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 16, 2006, to amend adjudication regulations to reflect changes made by three Public Laws.
  
  • Public Law 106-377, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, changed the rate of compensation payments to certain veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrilla forces, who reside in the United States. Public Law 106-419, the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000, changed the amount of monetary burial benefits that VA will pay to survivors of certain veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrilla forces who lawfully reside in the United States at death. This document additionally implements Public Law 108-183, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, and solicits comments on this regulatory amendment only:
  • Public Law 108-183, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 added service in the Philippine Scouts as qualifying service for payment of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation and monetary burial benefits at the full-dollar rate, and provided for payment of dependency and indemnity compensation 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.
  C omments Deadline: February 16, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AK65.''
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service (211D), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Eligibility for Health Care Benefits for Certain Filipino Veterans in the United States - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 9, 2006, to amend VA medical regulations to provide eligibility for VA hospital care, nursing home care, and outpatient services for any Filipino Commonwealth Army veteran, including those recognized by authority of the U.S. Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces, and for any veteran of the new Philippine Scouts, provided that any such veteran resides in the U.S. and is either a citizen of the U.S. or is lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Under this regulatory provision, these certain veterans are eligible for VA hospital care, nursing home care, and outpatient medical services in the United States in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as apply to U.S. veterans.
  Effective Date: March 13, 2006
  Contact: Roscoe Butler, Chief Business Office (163), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0329.

• Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee); Notice of Meeting - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 9, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will meet on February 27, 2006, in Rockville, Maryland. The committee will discuss the following items: (1) Update on the Institute of Medicine's Air Force Health Study Disposition Study and related closure activities; (2) updates from the Air Force on the Viability Study, Compliance Study, Comprehensive Study, Mortality Update, Technical Reports, and External Collaborations.
  FDA Contact: Leonard Schechtman, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138; code 3014512560.

• President's National Hire Veterans Committee; Notice of Open Meeting - The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor published a notice in the Federal Register on February 7, 2006, that the President's National Hire Veterans Committee will meet on February 23, 2006, in Jacksonville, Florida. The committee will discuss raising corporate awareness as to the advantages of hiring veterans.
  Effective date: January 18, 2006.
  Department of Labor Contact: Bill Offutt; telephone: (202) 693-4717.

• Informed Consent for Patient Care - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, February 1, 2006, to amend VA medical regulations on informed consent. The proposed rule authorizes VA to designate additional categories of health care professionals to obtain informed consent and sign the consent form.
  Comments Deadline: April 3, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AM21.''
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, Ethics Policy Service, 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.

[January 2006]

• Notice of Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 31, 2006, that the Department will conduct a computer matching program with the Internal Review Service, to compare Internal Revenue Service records with VA pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation records.
  Effective Date: The match will start no sooner than 30 days after publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, or 40 days after copies of this Notice and the agreement of the parties are submitted to Congress and OMB, whichever is later, and end not more than 18 months after the agreement is properly implemented by the parties.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman (212A); telephone: (757) 858-6148, extension 107.

• Notice of Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 31, 2006, that the Department will conduct a computer matching program with the Internal Review Service. Data from the proposed match will be utilized to verify the unearned income (such as interest income and dividends) of nonservice-connected veterans, and zero percent noncompensable service-connected veterans, whose eligibility for VA medical care is based on their inability to defray the cost of medical care. These veterans supply household income information that includes their spouses and dependents at the time of application for VA health care benefits.
  Effective Date: This match will start no sooner than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, unless comments dictate otherwise.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov.
  Contact: Gary Baker, Director, Health Eligibility Center; telephone: (404) 235-1300.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs Public Meeting - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a notice in the Federal Register on January 30, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs has scheduled a public meeting on February 7 and 8, 2006. The meeting will be held in 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. .

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 25, 2006, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet on April 4 through 5, 2006 in Washington, DC. The meeting will feature presentations on VA research initiatives in areas that affect aging, dementia treatment initiatives, VA nursing home care unit cultural transformation, 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.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 24, 2006, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on February 1, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of and discussion about the National Research Advisory Council annual report for 2005, an overview of research, education, and clinical centers, and an update on deployment health and Gulf War research.
  Contact: Karen Scott, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (352) 392-8066; e-mail: karen.scott@va.gov.

• Examining System - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 23, 2006, to designate two sections of the Alternative Ranking and Selection Procedures from the Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002 (Title XIII of the Homeland Security Act) as veterans' preference requirements for purposes of a prohibited personnel practice violation, thereby aligning these sections with other statutory provisions covering veterans' preference.
  Effective date: February 22, 2006.
  OPM Contact: Linda Watson; telephone: (202) 606-0830; facsimile: (202) 606-2329; TTY at (202) 418-3134; or e-mail: linda.watson@opm.gov.

• VA Directive and Handbook 5021, Employee/Management Relations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice with request for comments in the Federal Register January 17, 2006, that Section 302 of the Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset and Business Improvement Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-170), dated December 6, 2003, authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint chiropractors as permanent full-time title 38 employees under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1). Also appointed under this authority are physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, nurse anesthetists, physician assistants and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. Upon successful completion of probationary status as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(b), these title 38 employees may file an appeal to a Disciplinary Appeals Board if they are subjected to major adverse action that is based in whole or in part on a question of professional conduct and competence.
  As part of its implementation of Public Law 108-170, the Department of Veterans Affairs proposes to revise its Directive and Handbook 5021, Employee/Management Relations, to clarify that chiropractors now have the same right to appeal major adverse actions to Disciplinary Appeal Boards and grieve certain actions as other title 38 employees.
  Comment Deadline: February 16, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1154, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Larry Ables, Director, Employee Relations and Performance Management Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Human Resources Management and Labor Relations (051), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-9827.

• 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 January 13, 2006, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on March 7 through 9, 2006, in Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services and with testing 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) 205-0207.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 13, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on February 8 through 10, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive reports from program experts, assess the availability of health care and benefit services, receive reports from other federal departments and advocacy groups and review other initiatives designed to assist veterans who are homeless.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• VA Acquisition Regulation: Plain Language Rewrite - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on January 13, 2006, of our intent to revise the Department of Veterans Affairs VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR). The Federal Register publication notes that we have rewritten much of the VAAR to conform to plain language principles.
  Comment Deadline: March 14, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov, or through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AK78.''
  Contact: Acquisition Policy Division (049A5A), Office of Acquisition and Material Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-9515.

• Reservists' Education: Revision of Eligibility Requirements for the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve - The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security (Coast Guard), and Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 10, 2006, to implement provisions in the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 and the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. The Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 contained a provision that changed an eligibility criterion concerning the time for obtaining a high school diploma. The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 expanded the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve eligibility period from 10 years to 14 years for reservists who first become eligible after September 30, 1992.
  Effective Date: January 10, 2006.
  Contact: Lynn Nelson, Education Advisor, Department of Veterans Affairs (225C), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.
  

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2006 Calendar Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on January 6, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' 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;
  • 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
  • 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: January 1, 2006.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• 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 January 3, 2006, that the net allowance payable for qualifying interments occurring during calendar year 2004, is $162.22.
  Contact: Lisa Ciolek, Capital and Performance Budgeting (41B1B), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5161.

• Government Owned Invention Available for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published notices in the Federal Register on January 3 and January 11, 2006, of two inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Patent Application No. 10/486,593 ``Method of Preventing the Occurrence of Symptoms of Psychosis.''
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,770,622 ``N-Terminally Truncated Galectin-3 for use in Treating Cancer ''
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: ami.centanni@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

[ December 2005]

• Total Disability Ratings Based on Inability of the Individual To Engage in Substantially Gainful Employment - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 1, 2001, to amend those portions of its adjudication regulations and its Schedule for Rating Disabilities dealing with the issue of total disability ratings based on inability of the individual to engage in substantially gainful employment in claims for service-connected compensation or non-service-connected pension. This document withdraws that proposed rule.
  Date proposed rule is withdrawn: December 23, 2005..
  Contact: Beth Easter, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7141.

• Accreditation of Service Organization Representatives and Agents - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 23, 2005, regarding recognition of service organizations and accreditation of their representatives and of agents, attorneys, and individuals seeking to represent claimants for benefits administered by VA. These amendments are necessary to improve clarity and to enhance VA'sability to assure high quality representation of claimants.
  Comments Deadline: February 21, 2006
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; fax: (202) 273-9026; e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM29.''
  Contact: Michelle Bernstein, Staff Attorney, Office of General Counsel (022G), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-6315.

• Traumatic Injury Protection Rider to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance - The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on December 22, 2005, to implement section 1032 of the ``Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005,'' (Public Law 109-13). Section 1032 of Public Law 109-13 establishes an automatic traumatic injury protection rider provision to Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), effective December 1, 2005, providing automatic insurance for any SGLI insured who sustains a serious traumatic injury as prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense that results in certain losses prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense. This rule specifies the losses for which the traumatic injury benefit (TSGLI) will be paid and the amount of the TSGLI benefit payable for each loss.
  Section 1032(c)(1) of Public Law 109-13 also provides for the payment of TSGLI benefits to service members who experienced a traumatic injury between October 7, 2001, and the effective date of section 1032 of Public Law 109-13, i.e., December 1, 2005, if the loss was a direct result of injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Comments Deadline: December 20, 2005.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov.
  Contact: Greg Hosmer, Senior Attorney/Insurance Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101; telephone: (215) 842-2000, extension 4280.

• Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Defense published a notice in the Federal Register on December 21, 2005, that the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction will meet on January 12 and 13, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. The goal of the Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction is to provide guidance and oversight of the dose reconstruction and claims compensation programs for veterans of U.S.-sponsored atmospheric nuclear weapons tests from 1945-1962; veterans of the 1945-1946 occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan; and veterans who were prisoners of war in those regions at the conclusion of World War II. In addition, the advisory board will assist Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in communicating with the veterans.
  Contact: The Veterans' Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction hotline: 1-866-657-8237.

• Use of Diagnostic Code Numbers; Schedule of Ratings-Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 20, 2005, to amend the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, by updating references to diagnostic codes in two regulations. These amendments are necessary to correct outdated references in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
  Effective date: December 20, 2005.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Notice of Rights and Duties Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act - The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2005, implementing a requirement of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 ( VBIA ), Public Law 108-454. The VBIA amended the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ( USERRA ) by adding a requirement that employers provide a notice of the rights, benefits, and obligations of employees and employers under USERRA.
  Effective date: January 18, 2006.
  Department of Labor Contact: Mr. Kenan Torrans, Office of Operations and Programs, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S1316, 200 Constitution n Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-4731.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 16, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for January 19 and 20, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include updates on the proposed work plans of the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine, firsthand accounts of disabled service members and veterans, an overview of the VA benefit claims appellate process and a discussion of future field visits to be conducted by Commission members during calendar year 2006.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, As Amended - The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2005, implementing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended ( USERRA ).
  Congress enacted USERRA to protect the rights of persons who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. USERRA authorizes the Secretary of Labor (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) to prescribe rules implementing the law as it applies to States, local governments, and private employers. VETS proposed rules under that authority in order to provide guidance to employers and employees concerning their rights and obligations under USERRA. The Agency invited written comments on these proposed rules, and any specific issues related to the proposal, from members of the public.
  Effective date: January 18, 2006.
  Department of Labor Contact: Robert Wilson, Chief, Investigations and Compliance Division, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-4719

• Copayment for Medication - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 2, 2005, that the medication copayment rate will be increased from $7.00 to $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 new 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) 254-0406.

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Surviving Spouse's Rate; Payments Based on Veteran's Entitlement to Compensation for Service-Connected Disability Rated Totally Disabling for Specified Periods Prior to Death - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 2, 2005, to amend its adjudication regulations concerning payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for certain non-service-connected deaths and the rate of DIC payable to a surviving spouse for either service-connected or non-service-connected deaths. The purpose of this final rule is to clarify VA's interpretation of two similar statutes that provide for payments to the survivors of veterans who were, at the time of death, in receipt of or entitled to receive disability compensation for service-connected disability that was rated totally disabling for a specified period prior to death. This rule also reorganizes and revises the regulations governing surviving spouses' DIC rates and revises the Board of Veterans' Appeals rule concerning the effect of unfavorable decisions during a veteran's lifetime on claims for death benefits by the veteran's survivors. Effective Date: December 2, 2005.
  
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Veterans Recruitment Appointments - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 1, 2005, to implement provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act, signed into law on November 7, 2002. This Act makes a major change in the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (previously called a Veterans Readjustment Appointment).
  Effective date: January 3, 2006.
  OPM Contact: Darlene Phelps; telephone: (202) 606-0960; facsimile: (202) 606-2329; or e-mail: darlene.phelps@opm.gov.

[November 2005]

• Medical: Advance Health Care Planning - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 30, 2005, to amend VA's medical regulations to codify VA policy regarding advance health care planning. The final rule sets forth a mechanism for the use of written advance directives, i.e., a VA living will, a VA durable power of attorney for health care, and a State-authorized advance directive. The final rule also sets forth a mechanism for honoring verbal or non-verbal instructions from a patient when the patient is admitted to care when critically ill and loss of capacity may be imminent and the patient is not physically able to sign an advance directive form, or the appropriate form is not readily available. This is intended to help ensure that VA acts in compliance with patients' wishes concerning future health care.
  Effective Date: December 30, 2005.
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, Ethics Policy Service, National Center for Ethics in Health Care (10E), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 501-0364.

• Government Owned Invention Available for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published three notices in the Federal Register on November 29, 2005, of three inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Patent Application Number 60/702,874 ``Agents for Inhibiting Lymphocyte or Tumor Proliferation and Methods Thereof.''
  • U.S. Patent Application Number 60/690,696 ``Compositions and Methods for Osteogenic Gene therapy.''
  • VHA No. 03-127 ``Cyclic Peptides of MUC1 and Methods of use Thereof.''
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at ami.centanni@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0255.

• Government Owned Invention Available for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 28, 2005, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Patent Application Number 11/113,786 ``Quantitation of Endothelial Microparticles.''
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at ami.centanni@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0255.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 23, 2005, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on December 12 and 13, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last committee meeting. Additionally, there will be preliminary information on treatment research for Gulf War illnesses, research related to possible health effects of exposures during the 1991 Gulf War, and discussion of committee business and activities.
  Contact: Dr. William J. Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• Government Owned Invention Available for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 23, 2005, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 60/674,881 ``Cell-Specific Molecule and Method for Importing DNA into Osteoblast Nuclei.''
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at ami.centanni@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0255.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 23, 2005, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on December 9, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit, and discussions about system updates and outreach activities.
  Contact: Stacey St. Holder, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Government Owned Invention Available for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 22, 2005, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 60/707,732 ``Methods for Accelerating Bone Repair.''
  Contact: Amy Centanni, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at ami.centanni@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0255.

• Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 18, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation will hold its final meeting on December 6 and 7, 2005, in Washington, DC.
  The Committee will receive an update on the status of VA's implementation of the chiropractic care program, briefings on related topics, conduct a conference call with doctors of chiropractic at VA facilities. The Committee will also discuss and develop its final report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8559.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 18, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet in Arlington, Virginia from December 6 to 8, 2005. The agenda will include discussions regarding healthcare challenges and successes, hiring practices for minority veterans, transition concerns for returning combat wounded Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Service members, benefit services and delivery of benefits to minority veterans, and burial benefits delivery for minority veterans. Also, the Committee will engage in discussions with the Executive Director of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission and the Director of the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
  Contact: 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.

• Patients' Rights - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 4, 2005, to amend VA's medical regulations to update the patients' rights regulation by bringing its provisions regarding medication, restraints and seclusion into conformity with current law and practice. The changes are primarily intended to clarify that it is permissible for VA patients to receive medication prescribed by any health care professional legally authorized to prescribe medication, and that it is permissible for any authorized licensed health care professional to order the use of restraints and seclusion when necessary.
  Effective Date: December 5, 2005.
  Contact: Audrey Drake, Program Director (108), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9237.

• Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee); Notice of Meeting - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 4, 2005 that the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will meet on November 18, 2005, in Rockville, Maryland. The committee will discuss the following items: (1) Updates and interactions with the Institute of Medicine's Air Force Health Study (AFHS) Disposition Study Committee; (2) AFHS closure preparations; (3) updates from the Air Force on the AFHS history, program management, and the Comprehensive Study Report; (4) update from the Air Force on the 2002 AFHS Physical Examination Report; and (5) discussion of AFHS fiscal year 2006 activities.
  FDA Contact: Leonard Schechtman, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138; code 3014512560.

• Construction Advisory Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 3, 2005, that the Construction Advisory Board will meet on November 15, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Board will discuss its final recommendations to the Secretary, and discuss selected personnel matters affecting the management of VA's construction program. To protect personal privacy and in accordance with 5 USC 552b(c)(6), that portion of the meeting will be closed.
  Contact: Doug Belling, Designated Federal Officer, at the Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6675.

• Cost-Based and Interagency Billing Rates for Medical Care or Services Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs - The Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 3, 2005, to provide cost-based and interagency billing rates for medical care or services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
  1. In error or on tentative eligibility;
  2. In a medical emergency;
  3. To pensioners of allied nations;
  4. For research purposes in circumstances under which VA medical care appropriation is to be reimbursed by VA research appropriation; and
  5. To beneficiaries of the Department of Defense or other Federal agencies, when the care or service provided is not covered by an applicable sharing agreement. The rates contained in this notice do not apply to sharing agreements between VA and Department of Defense unless otherwise stated.
  
  Effective date: November 3, 2005.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 2, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for November 17 and 18, 2005, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a review of the Statement of Work for contracting with the Center for Naval Analyses for Commission approval and a discussion of potential field hearings to be conducted by Commission members during calendar year 2006.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• 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 November 1, 2005, as required by Public Law 108-445, the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Enhancement Act of 2004'' VA is hereby giving notice of annual pay ranges for Veterans Health Administration physicians and dentists. The inception of these annual pay ranges enhances 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: January 8, 2006.
  Contact: Donna Schroeder, Director, Compensation and Classification Service (055), Office of Human Resources Management and Labor Relations, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9803.

[October 2005]

• 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 25, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on November 16 and 17, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee briefed by the Chief Consultant, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group; the Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; the directors of Ophthalmology and Optometry; the Chief Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer; and the Chief Research and Development Officer.
  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.

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 25, 2005, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet on November 16, 2005, in Washington, DC. The agenda for the meeting will include discussions on VA's role in national disaster relief, national response to influenza pandemic, information technology reorganization, budget, and the impact of obesity and diabetes on the military and Veterans populations.
  Contact: Juanita Leslie, Office of Administrative Operations (10B2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5882.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 25, 2005, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet in Tampa, Florida, on November 30 and December 1, 2005. The major items on the agenda for both days will be discussions and analyses of medical and scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210; fax: (202) 275-1728.

• Disruption of Mail Service: Notice of exception to date of receipt - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 24, 2005, that as a result of Hurricane Katrina traversing the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on August 29, 2005, operations at the VA Regional Offices in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi, and related postal services, were interrupted. As a result of the interruptions, correspondence containing claims, information, or evidence sent to the affected VA Regional Offices is likely to be interrupted. VA wishes to protect the claimants who send correspondence to the Veterans Benefits Administration through the normal channels of communication from being deprived of benefits solely because those channels of communication have been disrupted due to events outside of the claimants' control. Therefore, VA is instituting procedures to consider alternative dates as the date of receipt of correspondence.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff (211D), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8485.

• Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups - The Department of the Air Force (USAF) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 18, 2005, that the service of the group known as ``The U.S. and Foreign Civilian Employees of CAT, Inc., Who Were Flight Crew Personnel (U.S. Pilots, Co-Pilots, Navigators, Flight Mechanics, and Air Freight Specialists) and Aviation Ground Support Personnel (U.S. Maintenance Supervisors, Operations Managers, and Flight Information Center Personnel) and Conducted Paramilitary Operations in Korea, French Indochina, Tibet and Indonesia From 1950 Through 1959; and U.S. and Foreign Civilian Employees of Air America Who Were Flight Crew Personnel and Ground Support Personnel, as Described, and Conducted Paramilitary Operations in Laos from 1961 Through 1974, When the War in Laos Ended; and U.S. and Foreign Civilian Employees of Air America Who Were Flight Crew Personnel and Ground Support Personnel, as Described, and Conducted Paramilitary Operations in Vietnam From 1964 Through 1975, When Saigon Was Evacuated and Air America Flight Operations Ceased'' shall not be considered ``active duty'' for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  USAF Contact: Mr. James D. Johnston at the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor, Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 12, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will meet on November 29 and 30, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues, tour the National Archives, tour the White House, then reconvene for a business session.
  Contact: David Schettler, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5175; e-mail: dave.schettler@mail.va.gov.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 7, 2005, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on October 27 and 28, 2005, in Washington, DC. The agenda will focus on military service-related needs of returning combatants from the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. Particular attention will be given to the unique post-deployment needs of National Guard and Reserve personnel. The Committee will be provided with an update of the current activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center program, and on VA mental health program activities with special attention to mental health services for returning war veterans.
  Contact: Charles Flora, M.S.W., Designated Federal Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs (15), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8969; e-mail: charles.flora@hq.med.va.gov.

[September 2005]

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 29, 2005, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on October 13 and 14, 2005, in Arlington, Virginia. The Committee will discuss the total force GI Bill concept, use of private and corporate funds to support educational programs, claims processing improvements, and comparison of GI Bill rates to the cost of attending a 4-year public college.
  Contact: Judith Timko, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Reasonable Charges for Inpatient DRG and SNF Medical Services; 2006 Fiscal Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 28, 2005, 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.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published notices in the Federal Register on September 9 and 29, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet on September 15 and 16, in Silver Spring, Maryland; and on October 14, 2005, in Washington, DC. The September agenda will include briefings by each of the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission Subcommittees, one or more Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. The October agenda will include the opportunity to discuss research questions and issues for further study. The Statements of Work under development for contracting with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science; and the Center for Naval Analysis will be discussed and approved.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Rescheduled Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 29, 2005, that the possible impact of Hurricane Rita forced the rescheduling of the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2005, in Waco, Texas. The rescheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2005, in Waco.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@mail.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 September 27, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will meet on October 24 through 26, 2005, in Kansas City, Missouri. The agenda will include a review of Compensation and Pension Service activities, focusing on outreach initiatives to former prisoners of war about the new presumptive medical conditions of heart disease and the residuals of stroke.
  Contact: Renee L. Szybala, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), 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 September 27, 2005, that the Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee will meet on October 24 and 25, 2005, in Sparks, Nevada. The agenda will include a variety of topics relative to the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities.
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 27, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on November 1 through 3, 2005, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include a briefing from the Veterans Health Administration's Women Veterans Health Program Director, VA's mammography program, the Commander of the Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response from the Department of Defense, VA's ``Seamless Transition'' initiative, and updates on issues related to women veterans in the Veterans Health Administration, the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and medical exams for separating and retiring service members. The Committee will also receive briefings and updates on issues in the Veterans Benefits Administration, including the review of PTSD ratings disparities, and legislative issues related to veterans.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller 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.

• 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 September 15, 2005, 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 the months of meet on September 16 and 30, 2005, in Washington, DC. The subcommittees will review investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for merit review consideration and provide advice on research program priorities and policies. The focus will be on proposals submitted in response to Request for Proposals Directed to Understanding Illnesses Affecting Gulf War Veterans.
  Contact: William J. Goldberg, Ph.D., Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations; Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005, to amend VA's regulations to codify the provisions of revised OMB Circular A-133. That circular provides standards for consistency and uniformity among Federal agencies for the audits of States, local governments, and non-profit organizations expending Federal awards. Further, this document proposes to codify the provisions of former OMB Circular A-110. That rule provides for uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. Codification of these provisions allows VA to execute these standards and requirements through the establishment of binding rules.
  Effective Date: October 3, 2005.
  Contact: John Corso, Management Systems Improvement Service, (008B3), Office of Policy, Planning, and Preparedness, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5927.

• VA Research Misconduct Policy - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005, that the Department has finalized and released its research misconduct policy in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Handbook 1058.2. These internal policies and procedures are fully consistent with and circumscribed by Federal Policy.
  Contact: Peter Poon, Health Science Specialist, Office of Research Oversight (10R), 811 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-8107.

• Jurisdictions and Addresses of Regional Counsels - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005, to amend VA's regulations regarding the jurisdictions and addresses of the General Counsel's Regional Counsels. This amendment is necessary to update Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, to reflect recent jurisdiction and address changes.
  Effective Date: September 1, 2005.
  Contact: Susan Sokoll, Deputy Director, Legal Information Division, Office of General Counsel (026H), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

[August 2005]

• Exceptions to Definition of Date of Receipt Based on Natural or Man-Made Disruption of Normal Business Practices - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 31, 2005, to amend VA's adjudication regulation regarding the definition of ``date of receipt'' authorizing the Under Secretary for Benefits to establish exceptions to the general rule when a natural or man-made event interferes with the channels through which the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) ordinarily receives correspondence, resulting in extended delays in receipt of claims, information, or evidence from claimants served by VBA. Currently, VBA receives correspondence through its 57 Regional Offices and through the Appeals Management Center, which develops claims on appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. The intended effect is to ensure that claimants served by the affected VBA office or offices are not deprived of potential entitlement to benefits because of unexpected delays or impediments not caused by the claimants.
  Effective Date: August 31, 2005.
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7232.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 25, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet between September 8 through October 4, 2005, in California, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Oregon, and Texas. The agenda at each meeting will include a discussion of the potential CARES Business Plan options for each site. The agenda will provide time for public comments on the options and for discussion of which options should be considered by the Secretary for further analysis and development in the next stage of the Business Plan Option development process.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@mail.va.gov.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published two notices in the Federal Register on August 24, 2005, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/672,852 `` Wireless Health Manager.''
  • US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/672,062 `` Improvement in Endoscope Design to Facilitate Placement and Patient Comfort.''
  Contact: Saleem Sheredos, Department of Veterans Affairs, Acting Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at saleem@vard.org; fax: (410) 962-2141.

• Construction Advisory Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 24, 2005, that the Construction Advisory Board will meet on September 28 and 29, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Board will receive briefings from three working groups regarding their site visits in August 2005 and receive oral presentations from the public.
  Contact: Doug Belling, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6675.

• Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 18, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation will meet on September 13, 2005, in Washington, DC.
  The Committee will receive an update on the status of VA's implementation of the chiropractic care program and briefings on related topics; it will also discuss and develop a survey to collect information on implementation.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8559.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 16, 2005, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet on September 14 and 15, 2005. The meeting will feature presentations on VA research initiatives in areas that affect aging, the White House Conference on Aging, 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' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet on August 26, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Commission will engage in panel discussions with current and former employees or the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the House Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs with knowledge and expertise in programs to assist and compensate disabled retirees and veterans and their survivors. The agenda will also include briefings by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide the Commission with an understanding of programs to intervene, diagnose, treat, and assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: vetscommission@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on August 30, 2005, in Canandigua, New York; September 1, 2005 in Montgomery Alabama; and September 1, 2005, in Big Spring Texas. The agenda at each meeting will include a discussion of the potential CARES Business Plan options for each site.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@mail.va.gov.

[July 2005]

• 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 27, 2005, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on August 30 through September 1, 2005 in Washington, DC. The purpose of the Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services and with testing new methods of health care delivery and management, and nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Assistant Director, Scientific Review (124S), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1722 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0212.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 27, 2005, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on September 19-21, 2005 in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last Committee meeting.
  Contact: Dr. William J. Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (121E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 18, 2005, that VA will conduct a recurring computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This will match self-reported household income information for veterans whose eligibility for VA medical care is based on income levels with (SSA) records. The purpose of the match is to obtain SSA earned income information data needed for the income verification process.
  Effective Date: This match will start no sooner than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, and end not more than 18 months later unless extended for 12 months in accordance with law.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov.
  Contact: Janet Ficco, Associate Director, Income Verification Division, Health Eligibility Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, Georgia; toll-free telephone: (800) 929-8387.

[June 2005]

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 13, 2005, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for U.S. companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/555,625 ``Cardioprotective Effect of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin.''
  Contact: Saleem Sheredos, Department of Veterans Affairs, Acting Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at saleem@vard.org; fax: (410) 962-2141.

• Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 6, 2005, to announce the availability of funds for currently operational VA Per Diem Only Recipients (projects that were originally awarded in 2002, 2003, and 2004 that are currently providing services and receiving per diem payments as of May 15, 2005) to make reapplication for assistance for their existing project number under the Per Diem Only Grant Component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. The focus of this Notice of Funds Availability is to provide previous recipients that have demonstrated performance in the delivery of services to the homeless veteran population an opportunity to seek re-application. This Notice contains information concerning the program, re-application process, and the amount of funding available.
  An original request for re-application letter, on agency letterhead 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 October 5. [Requests for re-application may not be sent by facsimile.]
  Contact: 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 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

• General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation; Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Goals in Subcontracting Plans - The General Services Administration (GSA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 3, 2005 to amend the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) in order to be consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to update GSAR clauses pertaining to subcontracting plans to include veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
  Effective Date: June 3, 2005.
  GSA Contact: Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst; telephone: (202) 501-0044. Please cite Amendment 2005-02, GSAR case 2005-G502 (Change 15).

• 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 June 2, 2005, 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 23 - 24, 2005. 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. The Committee will also vote on 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 (181A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

[May 2005]

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments and Headstone or Marker Allowance Rate - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, on May 27, 2005, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), spina bifida, and birth defects programs. These adjustments are based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index during the one year period ending September 30, 2004. VA is also giving notice of the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be paid for headstones or markers purchased in lieu of Government-furnished headstones or markers in Fiscal Year 2005, which began on October 1, 2004.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2004.
  Effective Date for headstone or marker allowance rate: October 1, 2004.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (212A), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (757) 858-6148, extension 107.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 25, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2005. The agenda will descriptions of veteran, military, and survivor populations receiving benefits, studies undertaken by the VA Office of Inspector General, and a briefing on the issue of concurrent receipt of benefits.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Program Evaluation Service (008B2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7509; e-mail: vetscommission@va.gov.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 24, 2005, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on June 13-14, 2005, in Washington, DC. The agenda will feature a review of the VA research portfolio and a summary of current budget allocations.
  Contact: Karen Scott, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0200; e-mail: karen.scott@hq.med.va.gov.

• Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule technical amendment in the Federal Register on May 24, 2005, to reinstate regulations that were inadvertently removed by a previous rulemaking.
  Effective Date: May 24, 2005.
  Contact: Richard R. Robinson, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel (023B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6334.

• Veterans Education: Non-Payment of VA Educational Assistance to Fugitive Felons - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 16, 2005, to amend its regulations to reflect a provision in the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Act). The Act contains a provision in section 505 that prohibits VA from awarding educational assistance allowance to individuals during any period that they are fugitive felons. Section 505 further prohibits payment of educational assistance allowance to a dependent of a veteran if the veteran is a fugitive felon. The prohibitions apply to the following VA educational assistance programs: Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, Post-Vietnam Era Veteran's Educational Assistance Program, and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.
  Effective Date: May 16, 2005.
  Contact: Lynn Nelson, Education Advisor (225C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on June 20 - 24, 2005, in East Orange, New Jersey. The Committee's agenda will include briefings and updates by the key leadership at the East Orange Campus VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the Women Veterans Program Managers in Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 3, as well as briefings from VISN leadership; briefings and updates by the key leadership at the Newark VA Regional Office (VARO) and will hear briefings from staff at the Newark Vet Center. The Committee will also tour the East Orange Campus VAMC and hear briefings from the service line chiefs at that facility; hear briefings and updates by the key leadership group at the East Orange Campus VAMC as well as updates from other VISN leadership. On June 23, the Committee will tour the Lyons Campus VAMC as well as hear briefings from leadership at that facility. On June 24, an open forum and town hall meeting with the women veterans' community will be held at the East Orange Campus VAMC.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller 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' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 16, 2005, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on June 7 - 8, 2005, in Decatur, Georgia. The Committee's agenda will include a tour of regional processing office operations; discussion of the total force GI Bill, VA educational assistance program trends, reporting fees, utilization of faith-based funds to support programs, and the Horatio Alger Foundation follow up.
  Contact: Judith Timko, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Duties of VA; Rights and Responsibilities of Claimants and Beneficiaries - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 10, 2005, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language its disability compensation and pension regulations relating to the duties of VA and the rights and responsibilities of claimants and beneficiaries. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension regulations 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 regulations.
  Comments Deadline: July 11, 2005.
  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-AL82.''
  Contact: Clay Witt, Chief, Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW</ acronym>, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-9515.

• Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee); Notice of Meeting - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 9, 2005 that the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will meet on June 10, 2005, in Rockville, Maryland. The committee will discuss the following items: (1) Updates on research and reports from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on the NAS Disposition Study, (2) April 14th public workshop regarding the NAS Disposition Study, (3) discussion on the possibility of a comprehensive study report derived from the Air Force Health Study (AFHS), and (4) research updates on AFHS activities.
  FDA Contact: Leonard M. Schechtman, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138; code 3014512560.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 9, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will meet on June 15 - 16, 2005, in Saint Louis, Missouri. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues, view Annual Training Conference classes on community volunteer opportunities, headstone and marker repair and inscription policy. Also, the Committee will tour Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and the National Cemetery Administration National Training Center.
  Contact: Timothy Boulay, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5204; e-mail: Timothy.Boulay@mail.va.gov.

• Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 9, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet at Howard College, in Big Spring, Texas, May 18, 2005.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.gov.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 5, 2005, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on June 10, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit, and a discussion about outreach activities.
  Contact: George Richon, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 4, 2005, of eight inventions inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or CRADA Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/20065 ``Methods for Detecting and Inactivating a Prion.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/646,710 ``Compositions and Methods for Improving Muscle Mass and Muscle Tone''.
  • U.S. Patent Application No. 10/927,616 ``Inhibitor of Cardiac Tachyarrhythmias.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/644,345 ``Screening Tools for Discovery of Novel Anabolic Agents''.
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/563,538 ``A Method for Rapid Screening of Mad Cow Disease and Other Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/640,170 ``Regulation of MIF Activity by Interaction With its Protein Binding Domain.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/620,660 ``Disimmortalizable Mammalian Chromaffin Cell Lines for Cell Therapy for Pain.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/623,002 ``Assays for Identifying Agents That Inhibit Calcium Crystal-Comprising-Induced Entry of Matter Into a Cell.''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Department of Veterans Affairs, Director of Technology Transfer, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: bob.potts@hq.med.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

• Construction Advisory Board; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 4, 2005, of the establishment of the Construction Advisory Board. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Committee is both in the public interest and essential to the conduct of VA business. The Construction Advisory Board will provide advice and make recommendations to the Secretary on the nature and scope of the Department's construction process. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board will focus or design approval, procurement and administration of construction contracts, quality assurance, and construction project management.
  The Board is expected to submit its final report and recommendations not later than December 31, 2005.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property, Chicago (Lakeside), IL - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 3, 2005, that the Secretary intends to dispose of approximately 3.8 acres of VA property (known as ``Lakeside'') in Chicago, Illinois. The Department, in accordance with 38 USC 8164, proposes to transfer all right, title, and interest of the United States in the property to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is currently leasing the property from VA for 75 years. VA would use the disposal proceeds to improve and expand health care services and facilities for veterans. Under other terms of the proposed disposal, VA could continue using a portion of the Lakeside property to provide outpatient care services to veterans until January 18, 2008.
  Contact: Brian A. McDaniel, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9492.

• Presumption of Sound Condition: Aggravation of a Disability by Active Service - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 4, 2005, to amend its adjudication regulations regarding the presumption of soundness of a veteran by adding a requirement that, in order to rebut the presumption of soundness of a veteran on entrance into active service, 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) 273-6315.

• Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 2, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet at the Municipal Auditorium, in Big Spring, Texas, May 13 - 18, 2005. The agenda will include presentations on objectives of the CARES project and the project's timeframes. Additional presentations will focus on the VA-selected contractor's methodology and tools to develop business plan options, as well as the methodology for gathering and evaluating stakeholder input. The agenda will also accommodate public commentary on site-specific issues.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.gov.

• Loan Guaranty: Hybrid Adjustable Rate Mortgages - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 2, 2005, to affirm as final an amendment to its loan guaranty regulations implementing section 303 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002. The amendment incorporates into the regulations a new authority for hybrid adjustable rate mortgages. This allows VA to guarantee loans with interest rates that remain fixed for a period of not less than the first three years of the loan, after which the rate can be adjusted annually.
  Effective Date: May 2, 2005.
  Contact: Robert D. Finneran, Assistant Director for Policy and Valuation (262), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7368.

• Elimination of Copayment for Smoking Cessation Counseling - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on May 2, 2005, to amend its medical regulations concerning copayments for inpatient hospital care and outpatient medical care. This rule designates smoking cessation counseling (individual and group sessions) as a service that is not subject to copayment requirements. The intended effect of this interim final rule is to increase participation in smoking cessation counseling by removing the copayment barrier.
  Effective Date: May 2, 2005.
  Comments deadline: July 1, 2005.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; 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-AM11.''
  Contact: Eileen P. Downey, Program Analyst, Policy Development, Chief Business Office (16); telephone: (202) 254-0347 or Dr. Kim Hamlet-Berry, Director, Public Health National Prevention Program, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-8929.
  Note: VA adopted the interim final rule as a final rule on January 17, 2006.

[April 2005]

• Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 25, 2005, of the schedule of meetings planned for the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, for the months of May and June 2005. The agenda at each meeting will include presentations on objectives of the CARES project and the project's timeframes.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.gov.

• 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 21, 2005, 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 the months of May and June 2005, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. These subcommittee meetings are for the purpose of evaluating the scientific merit of research conducted in specialties by Department of Veterans Affairs investigators working in VA Medical Centers and Clinics.
  Contact: LeRoy G. Frey, Ph.D., Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 21, 2005, that the Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee will meet in Scottsdale, Arizona, on May 25 - 28, 2005. The agenda will feature a video presentation from Dr. Perlin, a Voluntary Service Report, and recognition of the recipients of the VAVS Award for Excellence and NAC Volunteers of the Year. Also, workshops will be scheduled for Assignment-Driven Recruitment and Retention, My HealtheVet, Hospice Care, and Family Support in Seamless Transition.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Administrative Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7509.

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 21, 2005, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on May 9 - 10, 2005. The agenda will include a review of literature concerned with disability issues, and testimony by panels comprised of representatives from veterans' service organizations and military associations.
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Acting Executive Director, Program Evaluation Service (008B2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7509; e-mail: vetscommission@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 April 18, 2005, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board will meet in Silver Spring, Maryland, on May 11 - 12, 2005. The meeting will feature discussion of administrative matters and the general status of the program.
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Assistant Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8539.

• Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 19, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, April 29, 2005. The agenda will include presentations on objectives of the CARES project and the project's timeframes. Additional presentations will focus on the VA-selected contractor's methodology and tools to develop business plan options, as well as the methodology for gathering and evaluating stakeholder input. The agenda will also accommodate public commentary on site-specific issues.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.gov.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 19, 2005, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet on May 3, 2005. The meeting will feature presentations on VA research initiatives in areas that affect aging veterans, pilot programs authorized by the Millennium Act in assisting living, the White House Conference on Aging, and performance and oversight of VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers.
  Contact: Jacqueline Holmes, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group (114), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8539.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2005 Calendar Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on April 11, 2005, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' 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;
  • 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
  • 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.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published two notices in the Federal Register on April 1, 2005, to announce the availability of funds for applications for assistance under (1) the Capital Grant and (2) the Life Safety Code components 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.
  • Applications under the Capital Grant must be received by Grant and Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 8, 2005. [Applications may not be sent by facsimile.]
  • Applications under the Life Safety Code must be received by Grant and Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2005. [Applications may not be sent by facsimile.]
  Application Source: Download directly from VA's Grant and Per Diem Program web page at: http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Contact: 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 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

[March 2005]

• Exclusions from Income and Net Worth Computations - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 28, 2005, to amend adjudication regulations to exclude from income and net worth computations in the pension and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation programs benefits or payments received pursuant to the Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card and Transitional Assistance Program in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Effective Date: March 28, 2005. Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant (211A), Compensation and Pension Service, Policy and Regulations Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7232.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 21, 2005, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on April 6 - 8, 2005 in Washington, DC. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last Committee meeting.
  Contact: Preeti Hans, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0223.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 17, 2005, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on March 29, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Council will receive informational briefings on the status of the VA research program and the research portfolio.
  Contact: Karen Scott, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0200; e-mail: karen.scott@hq.med.va.gov.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 14, 2005, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet in Washington, DC, April 14-15, 2005. The major items on the agenda for both days will be discussions and analyses of medical and scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210; fax: (202) 275-1728.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Health Administration Resident Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 14, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Health Administration Resident Education will hold a teleconference on April 29, 2005. The agenda will include a review of Committee activities and updates on the VHA Resident Education Program. The discussions will primarily center around evaluation of how VHA may best go forward with the goal of balancing the educational needs of resident physicians while providing excellent health care to veterans.
  Contact: Andrew Fleshman, Office of Academic Affiliations (144), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8369; fax: (202) 273-9031; e-mail: vhacooaa@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 March 14, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, in Washington, DC, April 11-13, 2005. The agenda will include future plans for the VA Former Prisoners of War Learning Seminars, and conclude with a report on the progress of Special Former Prisoners of War Care and Benefits Teams, a review of VA's Compensation and Pension Service activities, including new outreach initiatives to Former Prisoners of Wars, initiatives to contact Former Prisoners of War pensioners, and a special report on outreach to Former Prisoners of Wars about the new presumptive medical conditions of heart diseases and the residuals of stroke. The Committee will also hear a presentation from the Robert E. Mitchell Center for Prisoner of War Studies.
  Contact: Ren[eacute]e L. Szybala, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

• Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2005, that the Advisory Commiteee on Chiropractic Care Implementation will meet on March 29 - 30, 2004, in Washington, DC.
  The Committee will receive an update on the status of VA's implementation of the chiropractic care program and briefing on related topics, and it will discuss and provide input on evaluation of the chiropractic care program.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8558.

• Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive License - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 3, 2005, that the Office of Research and Development, intends to grant to Three Rivers Holdings, LLC, 1826 West Broadway Road, Suite 43, Mesa, Arizona an exclusive license to practice U.S. Patent Application Serial No.10/316,087 filed December 11, 2002, entitled ``Oblique Angled Suspension Caster Fork for Wheelchairs''.
  Comments Deadline: March 18, 2005.
  Address: Sal Sheredos, Acting Director of Technology Transfer, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development Attention: 12TT; 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0255; fax: (202) 254-0473; or e-mail comments to saleem@vard.org.
  

[February 2005]

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Availability of Annual Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 28, 2005, that the Annual Report of the Special Medical Advisory Group for Fiscal Year 2004 has been issued. It is available for public inspection at two locations: Federal Advisory Committee Desk, Library of Congress, Anglo-American Acquisition Division, Government Documents Section, Room LM-B42, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20540; and Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, VA Central Office, Suite 800, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, February 24, 2005, as required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-363), regarding cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2004.
  Contact: Pamela Liverman, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (212A), Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 858-6148, extension 107.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Appeals Regulations, Rules of Practice; Delegations of Authority - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on February 24, 2005, to amend the appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The final rule update regulations governing certain delegations of authority exercised by the Chairman of the Board. The amendments reflect statutory changes and changes to other regulations made because of the statutory changes.
  Effective date: February 24, 2005.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 2, 2005 and February 17, 2005, of inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 and/or CRADA Collaboration under 15 USC 3710a to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 60/580,727 ``Surgically Implantable Perineal Urinary Incontinence Device''
  • US Provisional Patent Application Number 60/600,390 ``Treating Neurological Disorders with Neuro-Specific Gap Blockers.''
  Contact: Sal Sheredos, Acting Director of Technology Transfer, Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Research and Development Attention: 12TT; 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at saleem@vard.org; fax: (202) 254-0473.

• Loan Guaranty: Loan Servicing and Claims Procedures Modifications - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 18, 2005 , to amend its loan guaranty regulations related to several aspects of the servicing and liquidating of guaranteed housing loans in default, and submitting of guaranty claims by loan holders:
  • Increased authority of servicers to implement loss-mitigation options,
  • incentive payments to servicers for successful alternatives to foreclosure implemented,
  • establishing a system of measuring and ranking servicer performance, permitting loan holders to review liquidation appraisals,
  • requiring holders to calculate the net value of the security property prior to foreclosure,
  • establishing a timeframe for when foreclosure of a defaulted loan would be expected to have been completed,
  • limiting the amount of interest and other fees and charges that may be included in a guaranty claim,
  • establishing attorneys fees allowed to be included in the guaranty claim,
  • establishing a deadline for the submission of guaranty claims, modifying the requirements for title evidence for properties conveyed to VA following foreclosure,
  • modifying the requirements for how long a holder must maintain records relating to loans for which VA has paid a claim on the guaranty, and
  • eliminating the requirement for the submission of legal procedural papers to VA.
  Comments deadline: April 19, 2005.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AL65.''
  Contact: Richard Fyne, 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) 273-7380; e-mail lgyrfyne@vba.va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 15, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from February 28 to March 4, 2005 . The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary on the administration of VA benefits and services to minority veterans, to assess the needs of minority veterans and to evaluate whether VA compensation, medical and rehabilitation services, outreach, and other programs are meeting those needs.
  Contact: Ms. Elizabeth Olmo, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

• 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 February 15, 2005, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on March 15-17, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of the Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services and with testing new methods of health care delivery and management, and nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Assistant Director, Scientific Review (124S), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1722 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0207.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 15, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on March 7 - 8, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive reports from program experts, assess the availability of health care and benefit services, review the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) program and other initiatives designed to assist veterans who are homeless. Also, the Committee will review legislative recommendations and work on its annual report.
  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 February 9, 2005, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on February 28 - March 3, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Board's activities will focus on a review of research and development applications at a meeting closed to the public.
  Contact: Victoria Mongiardo, Program Analyst, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0054.

• Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive License - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 9, 2005, that the Office of Research and Development, intends to grant to Marine Polymer Technologies, Inc., 102 Water Street, Danvers, MA 01923-3727 USA an exclusive license to practice U.S. Patent Application Serial No.10/257,176 filed October 10, 2002, entitled ``Compositions and Methods for Tissue Preservation'' and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/546,860 issuing as U.S. Patent 6,569,615 B1, entitled ``Compositions and Methods for Tissue Preservation''.
  Comments Deadline: Comments must be received within fifteen (15) days from the date of this published Notice.
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Department of Veterans Affairs, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@hq.med.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0260

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 2, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet on February 17 - 18, 2005 in Washington, DC. The agenda will focus on military service-related needs of returning combatants from the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. Particular attention will be given to the unique post-deployment needs of National Guard and Reserve personnel. The day's activities will also cover the coordination of services between VA and the Department of Defense to ensure continuity of care and a seamless transition for returning war veterans. Also, the Committee will be provided with an update of the current activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center program to outreach and serve the veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
  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 bob.potts@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-8969.

[January 2005]

• Relocation of National Cemetery Administration - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 31, 2005, relative to the relocation of National Cemetery Administration regulations. Previously the regulations administered by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs were set forth in Part 1 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Recently, NCA was assigned Part 38 of Title 38 for its regulations. Accordingly, VA is moving the regulations administered by NCA and located in Part 1 to new Part 38. VA has made non-substantive changes to headings of regulations, but has not made any changes to the text other than conforming changes to section numbers.
  Effective Date: January 31, 2005.
  Contact: Karen Barber, Program Analyst, Legislative and Regulatory Division (41C3), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-5183.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 27, 2005, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on February 18, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit; and a discussion about possible outreach activities.
  Contact: Giles Larrabee, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Loan Guaranty: Implementation of Public Law 107-103 - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 27, 2005, to amend its loan guaranty regulations to implement sections 401 through 404 of Public Law 107-103, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001. VAis incorporating into the regulations the following statutory changes:
  • an increase in the maximum amount of loan guaranty entitlement from $50,750 to $60,000,
  • a liberalization of the requirements regarding Memoranda of Understanding between VA and Native American Tribes in order for their members to qualify for direct housing loans to Native American veterans,
  • a revision of the requirement that loan instruments used in connection with VA guaranteed loans contain a statement that such loans are not assumable without prior VAapproval, and
  • an increase in the maximum specially adapted housing grant to $50,000; and
  • an increase in the special housing adaptations grant to $10,000.
  Effective Date: January 27, 2005.
  Contact: Mr. Robert D. Finneran, Assistant Director for Policy and Valuation (262), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7368.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register January 25, 2005, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on February 8-10, 2005, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will briefings and updates on issues related to women veterans' in the Veterans Health Administration, including any treatment issues related to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom combat veterans and VA's ``Seamless Transition'' initiative; next steps and implementation of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) recommendations; briefings and updates on issues in the Veterans Benefits Administration; a briefing from VHA's Women Veterans Health Program Director; legislative issues related to veterans; presentation of Certificates of Appointment to four new Committee members, and a briefing from the National Cemetery Administration; updates and briefings on VA research and studies related to women's health issues, upcoming initiatives of the Center for Women Veterans; and briefings on VA's homeless programs, VA's National Veterans Employment Program, the VA/DoD Health Executive Council, and research efforts related to the rate of PTSD in women veterans by ethnicity and geographic location.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller, Center for Women Veterans (00W), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax (202) 273-7092, or e-mail 00W@mail.va.gov.

• Eligibility for Health Care Benefits for Certain Filipino Veterans in the United States - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on January 11, 2005, to amend regulations which describe veterans who are eligible to receive health care from VA in the United States. VA is proposing to amend these regulations to include any Filipino Commonwealth Army veteran who was recognized by authority of the United States Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces or new Philippine Scouts, if such veteran or scout resides in the United States, and is a citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Under this proposal these certain veterans would be eligible for VA hospital care, nursing home care, and outpatient medical services in the United States in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as apply to United States veterans. This proposal would allow those veterans to receive health care from VA.
  Comments Deadline: March 14, 2005.
  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-AM03.''
  Contact: Tony Guagliardo, Deputy Director of Business Policy, Chief Business Office (163), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0406.

Click Here to return to Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans.

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.

Search the Federal Register on GPO Access