Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans [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.

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