Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans from the 106th Congress [December 2000 - January 1999]

[December 2000]

• National Capital Memorial Commission; Notice of Public Meeting - The National Park Service published a notice in the Federal Register on December 28, 2000 that a meeting of the National Capital Memorial Commission will be held on Tuesday, January 16, at the National Building Museum, Room 312, 5th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The agenda will include consideration of a recommendation relative to placement, within Area I as established by the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, of the Memorial of Honor Veterans Who Become Disabled While Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Memorial Commission Contact: Ms. Nancy Young, Executive Secretary to the Commission, at (202) 619-7097.

• 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 December 27, 2000 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will be held at the Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, conference room K, Rockville, MD, on January 22, 2001. The committee will provide final comments and recommendations on the scope of work for the physical examinations and final report preparation for the sixth and final round of the Air Force Health Study.
  FDA Contact: Barbara J. Jewell, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane,Room 16-53, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138 (301-443-0572 in the Washington, DC area), code 12560.

• New Criteria for Approving Courses for VA Educational Assistance Programs - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 27, 2000, to amend educational benefit regulations by adding new criteria for VA to use in approving enrollments in courses under the educational programs VA administers. These changes implement provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1997.
  Effective Date: December 27, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development (225), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.
  

  Click here to go to VA's G.I. Bill Web Site

• Miscellaneous Montgomery G.I. Bill Eligibility and Entitlement Issues; Correction - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a technical correction in the Federal Register December 21, 2000, concerning eligibility for and entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty (MGIB). This document makes technical corrections to a document published on November 9, 2000.
  Effective Date: December 21, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development (225), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.

• Outer Burial Receptacles - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 8, to establish a mechanism for providing a monetary allowance for each new burial in a VA national cemetery where a privately-purchased outer burial receptacle is used in lieu of a government-furnished graveliner.
  Effective Date: December 8, 2000.
  Contact: Deanna Wilson, Program Analyst, Communications Management Service (402B1), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-5154.

• Allowance for Private Purchase of an Outer Burial Receptacle in Lieu of a Government-Furnished Graveliner for a Grave in a VA National Cemetery - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 8, 2000, to notify interested parties of the average cost of Government-furnished graveliners, administrative costs that relate to processing a claim, and the amount of the allowance payable for qualifying interments which occurred during or prior to calendar year 2000, but after October 9, 1996. The average cost was determined to be $147.96 for fiscal year 1999. The administrative costs incurred by VA consist of those costs that relate to processing and paying an allowance in lieu of the Government-furnished graveliner. These costs have been determined to be $10.17 for calendar year 2000. The net allowance payable for qualifying interments occurring during or before calendar year 2000, therefore, is $137.79.
  Contact: Deanna Wilson, Program Analyst, Communications Management Service (402B1), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-5154.
  

  Click here for information on Burial benefits available from VA's National Cemetery Administration

• Loan Guaranty: Advertising and Solicitation Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 8, to amend the VA loan guaranty regulations by prohibiting advertisements or solicitations from lenders that falsely state or imply that they were issued by or at the direction of VA or any other entity of the United States Government. These provisions appear to be necessary to ensure that lenders do not provide misleading information.
  Comments Deadline: February 6, 2001.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AJ86".
  Contact: R. D. Finneran, Assistant Director for Loan 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.
  

  Click here to go to the VA Loan Guaranty Home Page

• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Handicap, or Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance - Twenty-three Federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), published a joint notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on December 6, to amend their regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Together, these statutes prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, and age in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. In 1988, the Civil Rights Restoration Act (CRRA) added definitions of "program or activity" and "program" to Title VI and added a definition of "program or activity" to Section 504 and the Age Discrimination Act. The added definitions were designed to clarify the broad scope of coverage of recipients' programs or activities under these statutes. This proposed regulation incorporates the CRRA's definition of "program or activity" and "program"into Title VI, Section 504, and Age Discrimination Act regulations of the Agencies, and promotes consistent and adequate enforcement of these statutes by the Agencies.
  Comments Deadline: January 5, 2001.
  Address: Merrily A. Friedlander, Chief, Coordination and Review Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 66560, Washington, DC 20035-6560; facsimile (202) 307-0595.
  Contact: Merrily A. Friedlander, Chief, Coordination and Review Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; phone (202) 307-2222; TTY (202) 307-2678; or fax (202) 307-0595.
  

  Click here to go to the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice web page

[November 2000]

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, Notice of Charter Renewal - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 28, 2000, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education has been renewed for a 2-year period beginning November 14, 2000, through November 14, 2002.
  Contact: Bill Susling, Education Policy and Program Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Notice of amendment to system of records - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 24, 2000, that VA is amending the system of records currently entitled "Decentralized Hospital Computer Program Medical Management Records" (79VA162) as set forth in the Federal Register 56 FR 6048. VA is amending the system by revising the System Name and number and the paragraphs for System Location, Categories of Records in the System, Authority for Maintenance of the System, Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, and System Manager. The change in name will more accurately identify the system and the change in number will reflect organizational changes. VA is republishing the system notice in its entirety.
  Background. In the 1980s the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed an electronic health care architecture called the Decentralized Hospital Computer Program (DHCP) that was comprised of software applications that were integrated into a complete hospital information system primarily for hospital-based activities. DHCP was installed at VA medical facilities to provide comprehensive support for clinical and administrative needs and for VA-wide management information. By 1990, VHA upgraded computer capacity at all medical facilities and implemented software on a national scale that supported integrated health care delivery. In 1996, VHA introduced the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), a client-server architecture that tied together workstations and personal computers and supported the day-to-day operations at all health care facilities.
  Comments Deadline: December 26, 2000. If no public comment is received, the new system will become effective December 26, 2000.
  Address: Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Privacy Act Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 320-1839.

• Miscellaneous Montgomery G.I. Bill Eligibility and Entitlement Issues - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 9, 2000, concerning eligibility for and entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty (MGIB). The regulations are amended to correctly restate statutory provisions.
  Effective Date: November 9, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development (225), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.

• Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service, Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 9, 2000, that a meeting of the Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service will be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, March 6, 2001. The purpose of the meeting 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.
  Contact: Assistant Director, Scientific Review (124F), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 408-3665.

• VA Payment for Non- VA Public or Private Hospital Care and Non- VA Physician Services That Are Associated With Either Outpatient or Inpatient Care - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on November 7, 2000, to amend medical regulations concerning VA payment for non-VA public or private hospital care provided to eligible VA beneficiaries, and payment for non-VA physician services that are associated with either outpatient or inpatient care provided to eligible VA beneficiaries at non-VA facilities.
  Effective Date: November 7, 2000.
  Contact: Tony Guagliardo, Health Administration Service, (10C3), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8307.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on November 2, 2000, to amend VA medical regulations concerning "reasonable charges" for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  1. 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;
  2. 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
  3. For a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Effective Date: November 2, 2000.
  Comments Deadline: January 2, 2001.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AK39."
  Contact: David Cleaver, VHA Revenue Office (174), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8210.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 2, 2000, to provide "reasonable charges" for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  1. 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;
  2. 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
  3. For a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Contact: David Cleaver, VHA Revenue Office (174), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8210.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 2, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will meet on December 4 - 6, 2000, at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, 4646 John R, Room B-5327, Detroit, Michigan. The Committee's agenda will include a period for POW veterans and/or the public to address the committee, presentations on the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration activities, the Robert E. Mitchell Center for POW Studies, a report of the Expert Panel on Stroke, a discussion of recommended presumptive diseases for former POWs, and a review of POW lists by VA and the Department of Defense.
  Contact: Mr. Robert J. Epley, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 13 - 15, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on June 5 - 7, 2000, at the VA Medical and Regional Office Center (VAMROC) located at 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. The Committee will focus on the Veterans Small Business and Entrepreneurial Act of 1999, the status of its Sixth Annual Report, VA programs and facilities located in the Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley, and examine opportunities for partnership between VA and the Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) in an effort to determine how minority veterans can take advantage of medical care options available through Medicare and Medicaid. The Committee will also receive a presentation concerning VA research on ``Race Related Experience Scale for Asian American Veterans with PTSD."
  Contact: Anthony T. Hawkins, Center for Minority Veterans (00M), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

[October 2000]

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 31, 2000, that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on November 13, 2000, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Continental Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The agenda for the first session of the inaugural meeting will include the history and overview of the policies of VA research, followed by a background session on the challenges for the direction of the research and development program as related to policy, research centers, staffing, and operations.
  Contact: Sandra Young, Office of Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8284.

• Filing Complaints of Prohibited Personnel Practice or Other Prohibited Activity; Filing Disclosures of Information - The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 31, 2000, to amend 5 CFR part 1800 regarding OSC jurisdiction over complaints of improper employment practices, and over disclosures of information of wrongdoing in federal agencies (also known as "whistleblower disclosures). The Office of Special Counsel has investigative jurisdiction over violation of a veterans' preference requirement.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2000.
  OCS Contact: Kathryn Stackhouse, Attorney, Planning and Advice Division; telephone: (202) 653-8971; or by fax: (202) 653-5161.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 30, 2000, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on November 29 - 30, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to review information relating to the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. 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. On the basis of their analyses and discussions, the Committee may make recommendations to the Secretary concerning diseases that are the result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The agenda for the second day will include planning future Committee activities and assignment of tasks among the members.
  Contact: Ersie Farber-Collins, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7268.

• Veterans Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 27, 2000, that the Veterans Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on November 13 - 16, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to review the quality of the services which the VA provides to disabled veterans who participate in VA sponsored programs of rehabilitation. In addition, the advisory committee will conduct an internal business meeting focusing on a review of past activities and the development of future initiatives.
  Contact: Jada G. Jones, Employment Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7425.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment and Training; Notice of Renewal - The Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 16, 2000, that the renewal of the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment and Training is in the public interest, in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by section 4110 of title 38, United States Code. The Advisory Committee shall: Assess the employment and training needs of veterans; determine the extent to which the programs and activities of the Department of Labor are meeting such needs; carry out such other activities that are necessary to make the recommendations required by law and, at such times as the Committee may determine, report to the Secretary of Labor on the employment and training needs of veterans.
  DOL Contact: Polin Cohanne, Chief of Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, US Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-4741.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 16, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on October 24 - 26, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 230, Washington, DC. The Committee will make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the needs of women veterans with respect to health care, rehabilitation, compensation, outreach, and other programs and activities administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Contact: Maryanne Carson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims Based on Personal Assault - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 16, 2000, to amend adjudication regulations concerning the proof necessary to establish occurrence of a stressor in claims for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from personal assault. This amendment would provide that evidence other than the veteran's service records may be sufficient to establish the occurrence of the stressor. The proposed regulation also would require that VA not deny such claims without first advising claimants that evidence from sources other than a veteran's service records may prove the stressor occurred. This would make claimants aware of the types of evidence which might support their claims, and would give them an opportunity to obtain and submit such evidence. It would also ensure that VA will not deny claims simply because the claimants did not realize that certain types of evidence may be relevant and therefore failed to submit such evidence to VA.
  Comments Deadline: December 15, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to RIN 2900-AK00.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7210.

• Reservists Education: Monthly Verification of Enrollment and Other Reports - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 16, 2000, to expand the current requirement that some reservists receiving educational assistance under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) verify their pursuit of a program of education monthly to include those reservists who are pursuing a standard college degree.
  Effective Date: June 1, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a VA-BOP Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 13, 2000 of a recurring computer matching program between the VA and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of the Department of Justice with VA compensation pension and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) records. The purpose of the match is to verify continuing eligibility for Federal benefit programs of those who are confined for a period exceeding 60 days due to a conviction for a felony or misdemeanor. VA has the obligation to reduce or suspend compensation, pension, and dependency and indemnity compensation benefit payments to Veterans and VA beneficiaries on the 61st day following conviction and incarceration in the Federal institution for a felony or misdemeanor. VA also has the obligation to reduce educational assistance to any recipient who is incarcerated for a felony conviction. VA plans to match records of VA beneficiaries with those reported by BOP as being incarcerated and to adjust their VA benefits accordingly. VA will use the BOP records provided in the match to update the master records of VA beneficiaries and to adjust their VA benefits, accordingly, if needed.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7318.

• National Archives Reproduction Fee Schedule - The National Archives and Records Administration (Archives) published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 13, 2000 revising its schedule of fees for reproduction of records and other materials in the custody of the Archivist of the United States. This rule covers reproduction of Federal records created by other agencies that are in the National Archives of the United States, donated historical materials, Presidential records, Nixon Presidential historical materials, certain Federal agency records in Archives Federal records centers, and records filed with the Office of the Federal Register. The fees are being changed to reflect current costs of providing the reproductions. This rule will affect members of the public and Federal agencies who order reproductions from the Archives.
  Archives Contact: Nancy Allard, National Archives and Records Administration; telephone number (301)713-7360, extension 226.

• Increase in Rates Payable Under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 4, 2000, in compliance with statute, establishing the rates of basic educational assistance payable to veterans under the Montgomery G.I. Bill-- Selected Reserve for fiscal year 2000 (October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000). In a document published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2000 VA intended to show a 1.6% increase in these rates.
  Note: A correction to this final rule was published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2000.
  Effective Date: October 4, 2000.
  Applicability Date: The changes in rates are applied retroactively to conform to statutory requirements.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.

• Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 4, 2000, that the Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee will meet at The Madison Hotel, 15th & M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, on October 11-12, 2000. The meeting will be for the purpose of reviewing the following three new proposals: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for PTSD in Women Veterans, Heart Failure in Patients with Preserved Systolic Function, and Tri-National Study--Optimal Management of Patients with HIV Infection of Whom 1st and 2nd Line Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy Has Failed (OPTIMA).
  Contact: Ms. Carla DeSpain, Coordinator, Research and Development Cooperative Studies Evaluation Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8274.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 4, 2000, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on October 24-25, 2000 at Double Tree Hotel at Reid Park, 445 South Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona. Business topics for the October meeting include an update of the Voluntary Service program's progress since the 2000 National Advisory Committee Annual Meeting, 55th Annual Meeting plans, 2003 National Advisory Committee Annual Meeting planning, membership report review recommendations approved at the 1999 National Advisory Committee Annual Meeting, subcommittee reports, Standard Operating Procedure Revisions, New Business and Committee Appointments.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Administrative Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8392.

[September 2000]

• 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 September 26, 2000 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will be held at the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel, Conference Center, La Espada Room, 200 South Alamo St., San Antonio, TX, on October 19 - 20, 2000. The committee will conduct a review and comment on the scope of work for the sixth and final round of examinations of the Air Force Health Study.
  FDA Contact: Ronald F. Coene, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857; telephone: (301) 827-6696 or the toll-free FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1 (800) 741-8138.

• Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000 - The President of the United States of America published a proclamation in the Federal Register on September 26, 2000, noting that America's Gold Star Mothers rose above their personal tragedy, and today they continue to stand watch over our Nation, and proclaiming September 24, 2000 as Gold Star Mother's Day.

• Performance Review Board Members - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 25, 2000, publishing the appointment of Performance Review Board members. This notice revises the list of members of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Performance Review Boards which was published in the Federal Register on November 6, 1998 (62 FR 60047).

• National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2000 - The President of the United States of America published a proclamation in the Federal Register on September 19, 2000, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the onset of the Korean War and the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam, and proclaiming September 15, 2000 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

• Appeals Regulations: Title for Members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 14, 2000, to amend VA Appeals Regulations to provide that a Member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) may also be known as a "veterans law judge".
  Effective Date: September 14, 2000
  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.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee, Notice of Charter Renewal - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 14, 2000, that the VA Geriatrics and gerontology Advisory Committee has been renewed for a 2-year period beginning September 5, 2000, through September 5, 2002.

• Increase in Rates Payable Under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 13, 2000, in compliance with statute, establishing the monthly rates of basic educational assistance payable to veterans under the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty for fiscal year 2000 (October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000). In a document published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2000 VA intended to show a 1.6% increase in these rates in accordance with the statutory formula. Some of the published rates were incorrect. Accordingly, this document makes corrections to these rates.
  Effective Date: September 13, 2000.
  Applicability Date: The changes in rates are applied retroactively to conform to statutory requirements.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Assistant Director for Policy and Program Development, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7187.

• Cash Values for National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) and Veterans Special Life Insurance Term-Capped Policies - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 11, 2000 to amend VA regulations regarding National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) and Veterans Special Life Insurance (VSLI) by providing cash values for NSLI and VSLI term-capped policies and further providing the options to either receive the cash value in a lump sum or to purchase paid-up insurance upon the termination of the contract before maturity.
  Effective Date: September 11, 2000.
  Contact: George Poole, Chief of Insurance Program Administration and Oversight, Department of Veterans Affairs, PO Box 8079, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101; telephone number (215) 842-2000, ext. 4286.

• National Interest Waivers for Second Preference Employment-Based Immigrant Physicians Serving in Medically Underserved Areas or at Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities - The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) published an interim rule in the Federal Register on September 6, 2000 establishing the procedure under which a physician who is willing to practice full-time in an area designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals or in a facility operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs may obtain a waiver of the job offer requirement that applies to alien beneficiaries of second preference employment-based immigrant visa petitions. This rule explains the requirements the alien physician must meet in order to obtain approval of an immigrant visa petition and, once the physician has completed the requirements, to obtain adjustment to lawful permanent residence status. This regulatory change is necessary to help reduce the shortage of physicians in designated underserved areas of the United States.
  Note: A correction to this final rule was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2000.
  Effective Date: October 6, 2000.
  INS Contact: Craig Howie, Headquarters Adjudications Officer, Business and Trade Services, Adjudications Division, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW, Room 3040, Washington, DC 20536; telephone: (202) 353-8177.

[August 2000]

• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joined 19 other federal agencies in publishing a final common rule in the Federal Register on August 30, 2000, to provide for the enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (Title IX). Title IX prohibits recipients of Federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of sex in education programs or activities. The promulgation of these Title IX regulations will provide guidance to recipients of Federal financial assistance who administer education programs or activities. The provisions of this common rule will also promote consistent and adequate enforcement of Title IX by the agencies identified above.
  VA Contact: Ventris C. Gibson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management (08), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9437.
  Department of Justice Contact: Merrily A. Friedlander, Chief, Coordination and Review Section, Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice, PO Box 65960, Washington, DC 20035-6560; telephone: (202) 307-2222; TTY: (202) 307-2687; facsimile: (202) 307-0595.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs, Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 29, 2000, that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs will be held at VA Headquarters, Room 430, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, September 18 - 19, 2001. The advisory committee will receive briefings by the National Program Directors of the Special-Disabilities Programs regarding the status of their activities over the last three months, functional outcomes for Blind Rehabilitation, and a briefing by a Department of Defense representative on the referral process of traumatic brain-injured patients to VA and the reimbursement rate impact.
  Contact: Kathy Pessagno, Veterans Health Administration (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 273-8512.

• Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service, Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 29, 2000, that a meeting of the Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service will be held at the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf, 1200 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133, January 22 - 24, 2001. The meeting 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.
  Contact: Assistant Director, Scientific Review (124F), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 408-3665.

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 28, 2000, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the VA Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, on September 12, 2000. The agenda will include a presentation on VHA information management, focusing on the computerized patient record and a government wide patient record, an update on telemedicine, and the committee will be reviewing Capital Access Realignment for Enhanced Services Evaluation Criteria.
  Contact: Celestine Brockington, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5878.

• Veterans Training: Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence Allowance Rates - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 25, 2000, in compliance with statute, establishing the rates of basic subsistence allowance VA will pay under 38 USC chapter 31 to show the increases in these rates for fiscal years 1996 through 2000.
• Note: A correction to this final rule was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2000.
  Effective Date: August 25, 2000.
  Contact: Charles Graffam, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7410.

• Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee, Notice of Meetings - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 25, 2000, that a number of Medical Research Service Merit Review Subcommittees will meet in Washington, DC during 2000:
  • Aging and Clinical Geriatrics - September 25, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Surgery - October 2, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Nephrology - September 20, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Neurobiology-C - October 26-27, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Respiration - September 18, 2000- Holiday Inn Central;
  • Oncology - October 16-18, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Cardiovascular Studies - September 29, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Immunology - October 26-27, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central ;
  • Hematology - October 19, 2000 - Washington Plaza;
  • Neurobiology-D - October 13, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Epidemiology - September 29, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Gastroenterology - September 25 - 26, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • General Medical Science - October 5 - 6, 2000 - Washington Plaza;
  • Mental Hlth & Behavioral Sciences - September 21-22 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Endocrinology - October 5 - 6, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Infectious Diseases - October 12 - 13, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Alcohol and Drug Dependence - October 6, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central;
  • Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee - December 7, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central.
  Contact: Dr. LeRoy Frey, Chief, Program Review Division, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 408-3630.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs, Notice of Charter Renewal - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 22, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs charter has been renewed for a 2-year period beginning August 2, 2000, through August 2, 2002.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 22, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will meet on September 9 - 10, 2000 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 West Market Street, Akron, OH. The Committee will review the administration of VA's cemeteries and burial benefits program, and be updated on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War commemoration and the progress of the construction of the WWII Memorial.
  Contact: Mrs. Paige Lowther, Designated Federal Official, National Cemetery Administration (40), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5157.

• National Capital Memorial Commission; Notice of Public Meeting - The National Park Service (NPS) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 15, 2000 that a meeting of the National Capital Memorial Commission (the Commission) will be held at Tuesday, September 5, at the National Building Museum, Room 312, 5th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss currently authorized and proposed memorials in the District of Columbia and environs. Public Law 106-214, which authorizes placement of a plaque within the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those Vietnam Veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam War, but as a direct result of that service, will be discussed as an 'Informational Item'.

• Computer Matching Program Between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 15, 2000 of a recurring computer matching program between the VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) with VA records of benefit recipients under the Montgomery G.I. 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 G.I. 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 G.I. Bill__Active Duty (MGIB) and the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Selected Reserve (MGIB-09SR).
  Effective date: This match will commence on or about September 14, 2000. At the expiration of 18 months after the commencing date the departments may renew the agreement for another 12 months.
  Contact: Jerry Weeks (224), Acting Assistant Director for Procedures and Systems, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7181.

• Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Disabilities of the Liver - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 7, 2000 to amend VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities by revising the portion of the Digestive System that addresses disabilities of the liver. The intended effect of this action is to update this portion of the rating schedule to ensure that it uses current medical terminology and unambiguous criteria, and that it reflects medical advances that have occurred since the last review.
  Comments Deadline: October 6, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to RIN 2900-AK12.
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff (211A), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7230.

• Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); Expansion of Dependent Eligibility for TRICARE Retiree Dental Program - The Department of Defense (DoD) published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 10, 2000, to implement a change to the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) required by Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999. This change expands eligibility for enrollment in the program to allow dependents of certain retired members of the Uniformed Services to enroll in the program even if the retired member does not enroll. In addition, this rule clarifies the existing regulatory provisions for election of TRDP coverage and disenrollment.
  Effective date: August 10, 2000.
  DoD Address: TRICARE Management Activity, 16401 East Centretech Parkway, Aurora, CO 80011-9043.
  DoD Contact: Linda Winter, TRICARE Management Activity; telephone: (303) 676-3682.

• Loan Guaranty: Net Value and Pre-Foreclosure Debt Waivers - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 1, 2000 to amend the Loan Guaranty Regulations to change the formula for calculating the net value of property securing VA guaranteed loans being terminated and to add criteria for granting preforeclosure debt waivers. The proposed changes regarding net value appear necessary to more accurately reflect current costs. The proposed changes regarding waivers appear necessary to more accurately reflect statutory intent.
  Comments Deadline: October 2, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to RIN 2900-AG20.
  Contact: Mr. 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 number (202) 273-7380.

[July 2000]

• Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a VA-USPS Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 28, 2000 of a computer matching program between the VA and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The purpose of the match is to identify and locate USPS employees who owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their participation in benefit programs administered by VA. Once identified and located, VA will pursue collection of debts through voluntary payments. If such payments are not forthcoming, VA may request USPS to offset up to 15 percent of the employees' disposable pay as authorized under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Patricia Schultz, Debt Management Center (389), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111; telephone number (612) 970-5700.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a VA-IRS Computer Matching Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 28, 2000 of a computer matching program between the VA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The purpose of the program is to locate taxpayers who owe delinquent debts to the Federal Government as a result of their participation in benefit programs (including health care) administered by VA Once located, VA will pursue collection of debts through voluntary payments. If such payments are not forthcoming, VA may seek involuntary collection under the provisions of the Debt Collection Act of 1982.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Contact: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management Center (389/00A), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111; telephone number (612) 970-5700.

[June 2000]

• Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 22, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities will meet on June 22 - 23, 2000 at 811 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will review the development in the field of structural design, as they related to seismic safety of buildings, and fire safety, and vote on structural and fire safety issues for inclusions in VA's standards. Contact: Krishna K. Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Facilities Quality Service, Office of Facilities Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 811 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

• Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a Computer Matching Program - The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 9, 2000 of a computer matching program between the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) debtor files and HUD's Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS). This match will allow prescreening of applicants for loans or loans guaranteed by the Federal Government to ascertain if the applicant is delinquent in paying a debt owed to or insured by the Federal Government for HUD or VA direct or guaranteed loans.
  Comments Due Date: July 10, 2000.
  HUD Address: Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410.
  HUD Contact: Jeanette Smith, Departmental Privacy Act Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th St., SW, Room P8001, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number (202) 708-2374.
  VA Contact: Mark Gottsacker, Debt Management Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, One Federal Drive, Room 156, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4050; telephone number (612) 725-1843.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 12, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on June 26-27, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 230, Washington, DC. The Committee will discuss the proceedings of the National Summit on Women Veterans Issues, scheduled on June 23-25, 2000, in preparation of the Committee's annual report.
  Contact: Maryanne Carson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 2, 2000, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on July 11th - 13th, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will review the quality of the services which the VA provides to disabled veterans who participate in VA sponsored programs of rehabilitation.
  The Honorable Dennis Duffy, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Analysis, will conclude the day's program with a review of the background and research developed in support of the new VA publication, "The Changing Veteran Population: 1990-2020."
  Contact: Mr. Frank J. Donlan, Counseling Psychologist, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7436.

• Children Suffering from Spina Bifida Who Are Children of Vietnam Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 2, 2000 concerning benefits for children suffering from spina bifida who are children of Vietnam veterans. This is necessary to implement statutory changes contained in the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1997.
  Effective Date: October 1, 1997.
  VA Contact: John Bisset, Jr., Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

[May 2000]

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 25, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on June 5 - 7, 2000, in room 830, VA Central Office (VACO) Building, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will focus on minority health--a global assessment, medical research, Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) operations, and Minority and Veterans Business contacting. The Committee will also concentrate on a report of a Veterans Identity Study, Hepatitis C infections, the cardiac care program evaluation, the Veterans' Benefits Administration's Road Map to Excellence and National Cemetery operations.
  Contact: Anthony T. Hawkins, Office of Minority Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.
  

  Click here to go VA's Center for Minority Veterans

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 25, 2000 that a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will be held June 15 and 16, 2000. The meeting will be held at the American Legion, Washington Office, 1608 K Street, NW, Washington, DC. The agenda will include reviews of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) special emphasis programs for prosthetics, environmental agents and post-traumatic stress disorder, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) programs related to PTSD compensation, vocational rehabilitation and counseling, and transition assistance, and strategic planning sessions to formulate goals and objectives for a Committee field visit to VA facilities to be conducted later in the year.
  Contact: Alfonso R. Batres, PhD, MSSW, Chief, Readjustment Counseling Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8967.

• Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 22, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War will meet on June 5-7th, 2000, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Room 230, Washington, DC 20420. The Committee's agenda will include a period for POW veterans and/or the public to address the committee, presentations on the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Health Administration activities, updates on the Center for POW Studies, a report from the National Institute of Health on its Mortality/Morbidity Study and a briefing from the Special Panel on Stroke.
  Contact: Mr. Robert J. Epley, Director, Compensation and Pension Service (21), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a summary of legal interpretations issued by the Department's General Counsel, involving Veterans' benefits under laws administered by VA, in the Federal Register on May 23, 2000. These interpretations are considered precedential by VA and will be followed by VA officials and employees in future claim matters. The summary is published to provide the public, and, in particular, Veterans' benefit claimants and their representatives, with notice of VA's interpretation regarding the legal matter at issue.
  • VAOPGCPREC 01-2000: Consideration of expenses of a veteran's last illness in determining prospective entitlement for the period following the date of a claim for improved death pension. Effective Date: March 28, 2000.
  • VAOPGCPREC 02-2000: Special monthly compensation under section 1114(k) for a service-connected mastectomy. Effective Date: April 3, 2000.
  • VAOPGCPREC 03-2000: Amendments of VA's rating schedule and pending claims for an increased rating. Effective date: April 10, 2000.
  • VAOPGCPREC 04-2000: Paragraph 7.21 in Veterans Benefits Administration Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1, part VI, and medical-nexus evidence required to establish a well-grounded claim involving asbestos-related diseases. Effective date: April 13, 2000.
  The following Precedent Opinion was withdrawn:
  • VAOPGCPREC 13-94: Service connection may not be established for a disability incurred following the date on which a veteran was discharged from active military duty, although the discharge was subsequently voided and full active-duty credit granted by a Board for Correction of Military Records to a date after the date on which injury occurred, because the veteran was not engaged in active service at that time.
    VAOPGCPREC 13-94 was overruled by Spencer v. West, 2000 WL 266117 (Vet. App., March 13, 2000).
  Contact: Jane L. Lehman, Chief, Law Library, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-6558.
  

  Additional information may be obtained through the Office of General Counsel Web Page, Click here to go to Precedent Opinions for 1989 to 2000

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Charter Renewal - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 1, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans has been renewed for a period beginning April 18, 2000, through April 18, 2002.

[April 2000]

• Veterans' Workforce Investment Programs, Program Year 2000- The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 26, 2000, to set forth the procedures for obtaining a solicitation package for the operation of employment and training programs under the Public Law 105-220, Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Section 168-Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP).
  VETS Contact: Lisa Harvey, U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, Room N5416, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 219-6445.

• Modified Eligibility Criteria for the Montgomery G.I. Bill-Active Duty - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 20, 2000, to amend changes in the eligibility criteria for the Montgomery G.I. Bill--Active Duty which were made by the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998.
  Effective date: This final rule is effective April 18, 2000.
  Applicability Date: October 1, 1998.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Availability of Annual Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 20, 2000, that the Annual Report of the Special Medical Advisory Group for Fiscal Year 1999 has been issued. It is available for public inspection at two locations: Federal Documents Section, Exchange and Gift Division, LM 632, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540; and Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, VA Central Office, Room 805, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 20, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special-Disabilities Programs will meet on May 8 - 9, 2000, at VA Headquarters, Room 930, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will receive briefings by the National Program Directors of the Special-Disabilities Programs, and by a GAO representative on the GAO Draft Report regarding VA Health Care: Better Data and Accountability Needed For Care for Disabled Veterans. Also, the Committee will review the final draft report on implementation of the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 as it pertains to the legislative requirement to maintain capacity to meet specialized needs of disabled veterans.
  Contact: Kathy Pessagno, Veterans Health Administration (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8512.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 18, 2000, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on May 31-June 3, 2000, at the Clarion Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Boulevard, Orlando, FL. The primary purposes of this meeting are: To provide for committee review of volunteer policies and procedures; to accommodate full and open communications between the organizations, representatives and the Voluntary Service Office and field staff; to provide educational opportunities geared towards improving volunteer programs with special emphasis on methods to recruit, retain, motivate and recognize volunteers; and to approve committee recommendations.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Administrative Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8392.

• Outer Burial Receptacles - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on April 18, 2000, to provide a monetary allowance for each new burial in a VA national cemetery where a privately-purchased outer burial receptacle is used in lieu of a government-furnished graveliner.
  Comments Deadline: June 19, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AJ49".
  Contact: Ken Greenberg, Staff Assistant, Office of Operations Support (402), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5179.

• Repeal of Dual Compensation Reductions for Military Retirees - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published interim regulations with request for comments in the Federal Register on April 12, 2000, to implement the repeal of reductions in military retired or retainer pay required of some military retirees employed in civilian positions. Section 651 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 repeals section 5532 of title 5, United States Code, effective October 1, 1999. This Act repeals two reductions in military retired or retainer pay previously required of some retired members of the uniformed services when they became Federal employees.
  Effective date: April 12, 2000.
  OPM Address: Send written comments to Mary Lou Lindholm, Associate Director for Employment, Office of Personnel Management, Room 6500, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-9500.
  OPM Contact: Laurence T. Lorenz; telephone: (202) 606-0830.

• National Service Life Insurance - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 12, 2000, to amend VA regulations regarding payments of premiums for National Service Life Insurance by correcting cross-references. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2000 (65 FR 7437), VA redesignated certain sections in 38 CFR part 8. This document makes changes regarding cross-references to reflect these redesignations.
  Effective date: April 12, 2000.
  Contact: Ms. Jeanne Derrick, Attorney-Advisor, Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center, P.O. Box 8079, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101; telephone: (215) 381-3504.

• Fund Availability Under the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000, to announce the availability of funds for applications for assistance under the grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. This Notice contains information concerning the program, application process, and amount of funding available.
  Applications must be received by VA's Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group no later than 1600 EST, May 31, 2000. [Applications may not be sent by facsimile.]
  Application Source: Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334 or download directly from VA's Special Homeless Assistance Programs and Initiatives web page at: http://www.va.gov/health/homeless/grants.htm.
  Contact: Roger Casey, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Mental Health Strategic Healthcare Group (116E), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (877) 332-0334. This is a toll-free number.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 3, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on April 17 - 19, 2000, in room 230, VA Central Office (VACO) Building, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The Committee will focus on health care issues, veterans' employment and training issues, the cardiac care program evaluation, and the Veterans' Benefits Administration's Road Map to Excellence, and diversity training programs.
  Contact: Anthony T. Hawkins, Office of Minority Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

[March 2000]

• Eligibility Reporting Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 30, 2000, to amend VA's adjudication regulations concerning eligibility verification reports (EVRs) for recipients of pension under programs in effect prior to January 1, 1979. The amendment reduces the number of circumstances under which VA requires such pensioners to furnish annual EVRs. The intended effect of this amendment is to reduce the reporting burden on these beneficiaries, reduce the workload at VA regional offices, and enable VA to use its resources more effectively.
  Effective date: March 30, 2000.
  Contact: Don England, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Special Medical Advisory Group, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 27, 2000, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet on April 5, 2000, in Room 230, at the VA Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of Patient Safety Program, Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Program, VISN 12 Options Study, National Formulary Process, Office of Research Compliance and Assurance, and an update on the service line implementation.
  Contact: Celestine Brockington, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5878.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 27, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will meet on May 3 - 4, 2000, at the Arlington Hilton and Towers, Gallery Ballroom, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. The Committee will be updated on National Cemetery Administration (NCA) issues, including state cemetery grants program, cemetery construction, budget and legislation, military funeral honors and DOD Military Honors Legislation.
  Contact: Paige Lowther, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5164.

• Appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice--Case Docketing - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 17, to update the Board of Veterans' Appeals' procedures to reflect changes made by section 1003 of the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 and to reflect the change in the name of the United States Court of Veterans Appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
  Effective date: March 17, 2000.
  Applicability Date: November 10, 1998, except for Sections 20.609(i), 20.714(a)(5), 20.717(b), and 20.900(d) which are applicable March 1, 1999.
  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.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 17, 2000, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on March 21-23, 2000, in Room 230, at the VA Headquarters, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the needs of women veterans with respect to health care, rehabilitation, compensation, outreach, and other programs and activities administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to meet such needs. The Committee will make recommendations to the Secretary regarding such activities.
  Contact: Maryanne Carson, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 17, 2000, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on April 3 - April 4, 2000, at the offices of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, 1307 New York Avenue, Washington, DC, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 3, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 4. The focus of this meeting will be ``Partnership for Veterans' Education'', increasing G.I. Bill benefits for the 21st century, and increasing the access to Department of Veteran Affairs Regional Processing Offices by colleges.
  Contact: Bill Susling, Education Policy and Program Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Appointments of Persons With Psychiatric Disabilities - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 17, 2000, to create a new Governmentwide excepted appointing authority, with noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
  OPM Comments deadline: May 16, 2000.
  OPM Address: Mary Lou Lindholm, Associate Director for Employment, Office of Personnel Management, Room 6500, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-9000.
  OPM Contact: John Riedel-Alvarez or Paul Robinson; telephone: (202) 606-1059, TTY: (202) 606-0023, or facsimile: (202) 606-0927.

• Veterans Education: Increased Allowances for the Educational Assistance Test Program - The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 14, regarding the rates of subsistence allowance and educational assistance payable under the Educational Assistance Test Program. After consultation with the Department of Education, the Department of Defense has concluded that the rates for the 1999-2000 academic year should be increased by 4% over the rates payable for the 1998-99 academic year. The regulations dealing with these rates are amended accordingly.
  Effective date: March 14, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Revised Criteria for Monetary Allowance for an Individual Born with Spina Bifida Whose Biological Father or Mother is a Vietnam Veteran - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 13, 2000, to amend the evaluation criteria that VA uses to determine the amount of the monthly monetary allowance that it pays to an individual born with spina bifida whose biological father or mother is a Vietnam veteran. The intended effect of this proposed amendment is to clarify the criteria to ensure that they are applied consistently and to add a provision allowing the Director of the Compensation and Pension Service to adjust the payment level for individuals with disabling impairments due to spina bifida that are not addressed in the evaluation criteria.
  Comments Deadline: May 12, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are in response to ``RIN 2900-AJ51.''
  Contact: Caroll McBrine, MD, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff (211B), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7230.

• Meeting To Discuss the Future of the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses (OSAGWI) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 10, 2000, that the Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents, Department of Defense will conduct a public meeting to obtain information from veterans service organizations and the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services regarding the design of a successor organization to OSAGWI.

• Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, that a meeting of the Scientific Review and Evaluation Board for Health Services Research and Development Service will be held at the New Otani Hotel and Garden, 120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA, June 21 - 24, 2000. The meeting 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. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit. Recommendations regarding funding are prepared for the Chief Research and Development Officer.
  Contact: Assistant Director, Scientific Review (124F), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 408-3665.

• Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee, Notice of Meetings - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, that a number of Medical Research Service Merit Review Subcommittees will meet in Washington, DC during 2000:
  • Aging and Clinical Geriatrics - March 20, 2000;
  • Surgery - March 20, 2000;
  • Nephrology - March 22, 2000;
  • Neurobiology-C - March 23, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central
  • Respiration - March 27, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central
  • Oncology - March 27-28, 2000 - Holiday Inn Central
  • Cardiovascular Studies - March 31, 2000;
  • Immunology - April 3-4, 2000;
  • Hematology - April 6, 2000;
  • Neurobiology-D - April 6-7, 2000;
  • Epidemiology - April 10, 2000;
  • Gastroenterology - April 10-11, 2000;
  • General Medical Science - April 13-14, 2000; Central
  • Mental Hlth & Behavioral Sciences - April 13-14, 2000;
  • Endocrinology - April 17-18, 2000;
  • Infectious Diseases - April 17-18, 2000;
  • Alcohol and Drug Dependence - April 18, 2000;
  • Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee - June 1, 2000.
  Contact: Dr. LeRoy Frey, Chief, Program Review Division, Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC; telephone: (202) 408-3630.

• Child; Educational Institution - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 8, 2000, to amend VA's adjudication regulations concerning the definition of a child for purposes of establishing entitlement to additional monetary benefits for a dependent. The amendments are necessary to clarify the definition of a child for VA purposes and to bring the regulations into conformance with the governing statutes as interpreted by VA's General Counsel.
  Effective date: March 8, 2000.
  Contact: Warren M. Jones, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7167.

• Criteria for Approving Flight Courses for Educational Assistance Programs - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 8, 2000, amending VA's educational assistance and educational benefit regulations. The interim final rule revised the criteria to be used in approving flight courses for the education benefits programs VA administers. In large part, those amendments brought the approval criteria into agreement with various provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 and with the revised regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration. Without the changes made by the interim final rule, VA would not be able to provide educational assistance for veterans to attend affected flight courses. This document makes changes to the interim final rule to clarify certain provisions and to reflect new statutory changes.
  Effective date: March 8, 2000.
  Contact: William G. Susling, Jr., Education Advisor, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

[February 2000]

• National Capital Memorial Commission; Notice of Public Meeting - The National Park Service published a notice in the Federal Register on February 22, 2000, that the National Capital Memorial Commission will meet on March 7, 2000, at the National Building Museum, Room 312, 5th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC. In addition to discussing general matters and routine business, the Commission will review: S. 1921 and H.R. 3292, bills to authorize the placement, within the site of the Vietnam Veterans memorial, of a plaque to honor Vietnam veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam war, but as a direct result of that service.

• Review of Benefit Claims Decisions - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 18, 2000, to amend VA's adjudication regulations, to allow any claimants who have filed a timely Notice of Disagreement to obtain a de novo review of their claims at the Veterans Service Center level.
  Comments Deadline: April 18, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to RIN 2900-AJ99.
  Contact: Jack Bisset, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Regulations Staff, or Bob White, Team Leader, Plain Language Regulations Project, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7213 and (202) 273-7228, respectively.

• Claims Based on the Effects of Tobacco Products - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 16, 2000, to amend VA's adjudication regulations governing determinations of whether disability or death is service-connected.
  Comments Deadline: April 17, 2000. The proposed changes appear necessary to implement a recent statutory amendment providing with certain exceptions that a disability or death will not be service-connected on the basis that it resulted from injury or disease attributable to a veteran's use of tobacco products during service.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420.
  Comments should indicate they are submitted in response to RIN 2900-AJ59. Contact: Donald England, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

[January 2000]

• DIC Benefits for Survivors of Certain Veterans Rated Totally Disabled at Time of Death - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 21, 2000, reflecting VA's conclusion that 38 USC 1318(b) authorizes payment of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) only in cases where the veteran had, during his or her lifetime, established a right to receive total service-connected disability compensation from VA for the period required by that statute or would have established such a right if not for clear and unmistakable error by VA.
  Effective date: January 21, 2000.
  Contact: Don England, Senior Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Rules of Practice: Title Change - A final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2000, to amend the Board of Veterans' Appeals Rules of Practice to reflect that ``Office of Counsel to the Chairman (01C)'' has been changed to ``Office of the Senior Deputy Vice Chairman (012).''
  Effective date: January 11, 2000.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman (012), Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5978.

[December 1999]

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of Practice--Revision of Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable Error; Clarification - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 30, 1999, to amend the Board of Veterans' Appeals Rules of Practice governing the revision of Board decisions on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error. By this amendment, VA clarified that, in the case of a Board decision on more than one issue, the Board's decision on issues appealed to and decided by a court of competent jurisdiction is not subject to subsequent revision on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error, but the Board's decision on issues not appealed to or decided by a court of competent jurisdiction is subject to such revision.
  Effective date: February 12, 2000.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman (012), Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5978.

• VA Acquisition Regulation: Simplified Acquisition Procedures - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 15, 1999, to amend the VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) concerning simplified acquisition procedures. Contact: Don Kaliher, Acquisition Policy Team 95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8819.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee, Notice of Availability of Annual Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 13, 1999, that the Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee (NAC) for 1999 has been issued.
  The report is a summary of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the VAVS National Advisory Committee. It is available for public inspection at two locations: Federal Documents Section, Exchange and Gift Division, LM 632, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540; and Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary for Health, VA Central Office, Room 805, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Poverty Threshold - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 7, 1999, of the weighted average poverty threshold established for 1998 for one person (unrelated individual) as established by the Bureau of the Census. The amount is $8,316. Effective date: September 30, 1999. Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Federal Acquisition Regulation; Veterans' Employment - A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 1999, advising that the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Sections 7 and 8 of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998. Section 7 expands and improves veterans' employment emphasis under Federal contracts. Section 8 amends the veterans' employment reporting requirements. This proposed rule also implements the Department of Labor's (DoL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs final rule amending 41 CFR Part 60-250, Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era, which clarifies DoL implementation of the affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. Comments Deadline: February 1, 2000. GAO Address: General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVRS), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Attn: Laurie Duarte, Washington, DC 20405. GAO Contact: Mr. Jack O'Neill, Procurement Analyst, FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405; telephone: (202) 501-3856.

• Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); Expansion of Dependent Eligibility for TRICARE Retiree Dental Program - The Department of Defense (DoD) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 1, 1999, to implement a change to the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999. This change expands eligibility for enrollment in the program to allow dependents of certain retired members of the Uniformed Services to enroll in the program even if the retired member does not enroll. In addition, this rule clarifies the existing regulatory provisions for election of TRDP coverage and disenrollment.
  Comments Deadline: January 31, 2000.
  DoD Address: TRICARE Management Activity, 16401 East Centretech Parkway, Aurora, CO 80011-9043.
  DoD Contact: Linda Winter, TRICARE Management Activity; telephone: (303) 676-3682.

• Well-grounded Claims - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 2, 1999, concerning a claimant's statutory responsibility to support his or her claim with adequate evidence to make the claim "well grounded." The proposed rule also addresses VA's duty to help claimants who have filed well-grounded claims obtain evidence pertinent to their claims. The intended effect of this amendment is to establish clear guidelines regarding the types of evidence that make a claim well grounded; VA's duty to help claimants obtain evidence; and exceptions to the well-grounded claim requirement.
  Comment Deadline: January 31, 2000.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to "RIN 2900-AJ44."
  Contact: Janice Jacobs, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7223.

[November 1999]

• Diseases Not Associated With Exposure to Certain Herbicide Agents - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 2, 1999, under the authority granted by the Agent Orange Act of 1991, (Public Law 102-4), that a presumption of service connection based on exposure to herbicides used in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era is not warranted for the following conditions: Hepatobiliary cancers, nasal/nasopharyngeal cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, female reproductive cancers, urinary bladder cancer, renal cancer, testicular cancer, leukemia, abnormal sperm parameters and infertility, motor/coordination dysfunction, chronic peripheral nervous system disorders, metabolic and digestive disorders (other than diabetes mellitus), immune system disorders, circulatory disorders, respiratory disorders (other than certain respiratory cancers), skin cancer, cognitive and neuropsychiatric effects, gastrointestinal tumors, brain tumors, and any other condition for which the Secretary has not specifically determined a presumption of service connection is warranted.
  Contact: Donald England, Chief, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

• Certain Rates Regarding Recovery From Tortiously Liable Third Persons - The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 1, 1999, listing rates for use in connection with the recovery, from tortiously liable third persons, of the cost of hospital and medical care and treatment furnished by the United States (Part 43, Chapter I, Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations) through three separate Federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. The rates have been established in accordance with the requirements of OMB Circular A-25, requiring reimbursement of the full cost of all services provided.

[October 1999]

• 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 21, 1999, that the service of the group known as the "Chamorros, including the 'Chamorro Marine Scouts,' who assisted the US Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Saipan, Pagan, and Maug Islands, of the Northern Mariana Islands, from June 19, 1944 - September 2, 1945" shall not be considered "active duty" for purposes of all laws administered by the VA.
  In the same notice, the USAF determined that the service of a group described as "three scouts/guides, Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and Cristino Dela Cruz, who assisted the US Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana Islands from June 19, 1944 - September 2, 1945" and the service of a group described as "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 US Marines on active, combat-patrol activity from August 19, 1945 - September 2, 1945" shall be considered "active duty" under the provisions of Public Law 95-202 for the purposes of all laws administered by t