Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans from the 108th Congress [December 2004 - January 2003]

[December 2004]

• Allowance for Private Purchase of an Outer Burial Receptacle in Lieu of a Government-Furnished Graveliner for a Grave in a VA National Cemetery - Public Law 104-275 (enacted October 9, 1996) allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a monetary allowance towards the private purchase of an outer burial receptacle for use in a VA national cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 28, 2004, that the net allowance payable for qualifying interments occurring during calendar year 2004, is $171.77.
  Contact: Lisa Ciolek, Capital and Performance Budgeting (41B1B), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5161.

• Elections of Improved Pension; Old-Law and Section 306 Pension - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 27, 2004, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language its regulations relating to its ``old-law'' and ``section 306'' pension programs, as well as its regulations concerning elections of improved pension. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's reorganization of all of its compensation and pension regulations in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist readers in locating and understanding these regulations.
  Comments Deadline: February 25, 2005.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AJ62.''
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulation Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 23, 2004, of six inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • Provisional Patent Application No. 60/547,052 ``Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Bladder Cancer.''
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/32602 ``Detection/Localization and Staging of Tumors Using Labeled Activated Lymphocytes Directed to a Tumor Specific Epitope.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/574,756 ``Production of Urokinase in a Three-Dimensional Cell Culture.''
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/07934 ``Methods and Compositions Using Cellular Asialodeterminants and Glycoconjugates for Targeting Cells to Tissues and Organs.''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/591,207 ``Securing Implantable Neuromuscular Electrodes with Mesh''
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,382 ``Computer Program to Quantify Pharyngeal Residue and Swallowing''.
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Department of Veterans Affairs, Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@hq.med.va.gov; fax: (202) 254-0260.

• Poverty Threshold - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 23, 2004, of the weighted average poverty threshold established for 2003 for one person (unrelated individual) as established by the Bureau of the Census. The amount is $9,393.
  Effective date: August 26, 2004.
  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.

• 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 December 15, 2004, 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, 2004, through September 30, 2005). In a document published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2000 VA intended to show a 2% 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.
  Applicability Date: October 1, 2004.
  Contact: Lynn M. Nelson, Education Adviser, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-7294.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2003 Methodology Changes - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 15, 2004, to set forth the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning ``reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran .
  • For a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • For a nonservice-connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • For a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  
  Applicability Date: January 1, 2005.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

• Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 13, 2004, of the establishment of the Advisory Commiteee on Chiropractic Care Implementation. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Committee is both necessary and in the public interest.
  The Committee will monitor and oversee actvities to establish a chiropractic health program within VA, and it will advise the Secretary on the implementation and evaluation of that program. Much of the Committee's work will focus on carrying out the VA-endorsed recommendations of the Chiropractic Advisory Committee, an advisory committee whose statutory authority will expire on December 31, 2004. The Chiropractic Advisory Committee has been operational since 2002, has held its final meeting and has submitted its final report to the Secretary.
  The Advisory Committee on Chiropractic Care Implementation will meet periodically through 2005 and will be terminated no later than December 31, 2005.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8558.

[November 2004]

• Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups - The Department of the Air Force (USAF) published a notice in the Federal Register on November 26, 2004, that the service of the group known as ``U.S. Civil Servants on Temporary Duty at Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam From about April 4, 1972, to about April 27, 1972, to Design a Commercial Carrier Commodity Tariff and Shipment Control System'' shall not be considered ``active duty'' for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  USAF Contact: Mr. James D. Johnston at the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor, Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property, Chicago (Lakeside), IL - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 23, 2004, that the Secretary intends to enter into an enhanced-use lease of approximately 3.8 acres known as VA's Lakeside property in Chicago, Illinois (``Lakeside''). The Department proposes to enter into a long-term (up to 75 years) lease with a competitively selected lessee that would bear full financial and legal responsibility to redevelop the property into a modern health care campus, at no cost to VA. VA would use the consideration from the proposed lease to improve health care services and facilities for veterans. Under other terms of the proposed lease, VA could continue to use the hospital property to provide health care and services to veterans until December 31, 2007.
  Contact: Brian A. McDaniel, Office of Asset Enterprise Management (004B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9492.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 23, 2004, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on January 6 - 7, 2005 in Washington, DC. 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 its analyses and discussions, the Committee may make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain diseases with exposure to ionizing radiation. Presentations will be made by VA's Public Health and Environmental Hazards Office, and by Specialists in Energy, Nuclear, and Environmental Sciences (SENES).
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 275-1728.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Health Administration Resident Education, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 19, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Health Administration Resident Education will meet on December 9, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive briefings and updates on the VHAResident Education Program and reflect upon VHA's graduate medical education participation in the past, present, and future. The discussions will primarily center on evaluation of how VHAmay best go forward with the goal of balancing the educational needs of resident physicians while providing excellent health care to veterans.
  Contact: Andrew Fleshman, Office of Academic Affiliations (144), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8369; fax: (202) 273-9031; e-mail: vhacooaa@va.gov. .

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Availability of Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register November 19, 2004, that the 2004 Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on Women Veterans has been issued. The report summarizes activities and recommendations of the Committee on matters relative to VA programs and policies affecting women veterans.
  Availability: The Library of Congress, Washington DC 20540; and the Center for Women Veterans , Suite 438 (00W), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480.

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 19, 2004 that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on December 13-14, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. The Committee will receive reports from program experts, assess the availability of health care services, review the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) project and other initiatives designed to assist veterans who are homeless; the Committee will also receive reports from VAstaff and local homeless service providers, and visit one or more homeless veterans programs funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• Veterans Readjustment Appointments - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on November 5, 2004, to revise its regulations regarding Veterans Readjustment Appointments to implement the provisions of the Jobs for Veterans Act, signed into law on November 7, 2002.
  OPM Comments Deadline: January 4, 2005.
  OPM Address: Mark Doboga, Deputy Associate Director for Talent and Capacity Policy, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 6551, 1900 E Street, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20415-9700; or e-mail comments to employ@opm.gov.
  OPM Contact: Pam Galemore, Office of Personnel Management, Room 3425, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-0001; telephone: (202) 606-0390; fax: (202) 606-3134; e-mail: pamela.galemore@opm.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 2, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials will meet on November 30 - December 1, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration (NCA) issues; field operations; Memorial programs; the Fiscal Year 2005 budget; construction; and the State Cemetery Grants Program.
  Contact: Timothy Boulay, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5204; e-mail: Timothy.Boulay@mail.va.gov.

[October 2004]

• 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 October 26, 2004 that the Advisory Committee on Special Studies Relating to the Possible Long-Term Health Effects of Phenoxy Herbicides and Contaminants (Ranch Hand Advisory Committee) will meet on November 19, 2004. The meeting will be held in Rockville, Maryland. The Air Force will present for review to the Ranch Hand Advisory Committee the following chapters from the ongoing health study: Chapter 18, Endocrine; Chapter 20, Pulmonary; Chapter 11, Neurology; Chapter 13, Gastrointestinal; Chapter 14, Dermatology; Chapter 10, Neoplasia; Chapter 21, Conclusions; and the Executive Summary.
  FDA Contact: Leonard M. Schechtman, National Center for Toxicological Research (HFT-10), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-6696, or FDA Advisory Committee Information Line, 1-800-741-8138; code 3014512560.

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 28, 2004, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during the months of November and December 2004, in Washington, DC. These subcommittee meetings are for the purpose of evaluating the scientific merit of research conducted in each speciality by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) investigations working in VA Medical Centers and Clinics.
  Contact: LeRoy G. Frey, Ph.D., Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. 20420; telephone: 254-0288.

• Waivers - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, to revise its current medical regulations to give Fiscal Officers at VA medical facilities the authority to waive veterans' debts arising from the medical care co-payments.
  Effective Date: November 24, 2004.
  Contact: Eileen P. Downey, Business Policy, Veterans Health Administration, Chief Business Office (16), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0347.

• Increase in Rates Payable Under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, to amend its regulations governing rates of educational assistance payable under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance programs to reflect increases required by statutory provisions. The rates of educational assistance payable under the DEA program are changed to show a 1.5% increase for fiscal year 2003 (October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003) and a 2.2% increase for fiscal year 2004 (beginning October 1, 2003). In addition, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 provided an increase in the rates payable effective July 1, 2004. Effective Date: October 25, 2004. Contact: Lynn M. Nelson, Education Advisor (225C), Education Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7294.

• Increase in Rates Payable Under the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve - The Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, of the monthly rates of basic educational assistance payable to reservists under the Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve for fiscal year 2004 (October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004). By law, the monthly rates are must be adjusted each fiscal year; for fiscal year 2004 the rates are changed to show a 2.2% increase.
  Effective Date: October 25, 2004.
  Contact: Lynn M. Cossette, Education Adviser, Education Service (225C), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7294.

• Veterans Education: Increased Allowances for the Educational Assistance Test Program - The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, 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 2003-04 academic year should be increased by 9.6 % over the rates payable for the 2002-03 academic year. The regulations dealing with these rates are amended accordingly.
  Effective date: October 25, 2004.
  Contact: Lynn M. Nelson, Education Adviser (225C), Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7294.

• Standards for Collection, Compromise, Suspension, or Termination of Collection Effort, and Referral of Civil Claims for Money or Property; Regional Office Committees on Waivers and Compromises; Salary Offset Provisions; Delegations of Authority - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, to revise its regulations concerning the collection, compromise, suspension, termination, and referral of debts owed to VA. The revision clarifies and simplifies debt collection standards and reflects changes to Federal debt collection procedures under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. VA is also amending regulations pertaining to the administration of regional office Committees on Waivers and Compromises, as well as provisions pertaining to debt collection and to the Chief Financial Officer in the delegations of authority regulations.
  Effective Date: November 24, 2004.
  Contact: Peter Mulhern, Cash and Debt Management Division (047GC1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5570.

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Surviving Spouse's Rate; Payments Based on Veteran's Entitlement to Compensation for Service-Connected Disability Rated Totally Disabling for Specified Periods Prior to Death - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 25, 2004, to amend adjudication regulations relating to accrued benefits, death compensation, and certain special rules applicable upon the death of a VA beneficiary and to relocate them in a new part of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  Comments Deadline: December 27, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL86.''
  
  Contact: David Barrans, Staff Attorney (022), Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-9515.

• Special Medical Advisory Group; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 18, 2003, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2003. The agenda for the meeting will include discussions on electronic health records, research, recruitment and compensation of health care professionals, special programs, care coordination and VA's Care Model.
  Contact: Juanita Leslie, Office of Administrative Operations (10B2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5882.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Availability of Report - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register October 18, 2004, that the 2004 Annual Report of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans has been issued. The report summarizes activities and recommendations of the Committee on matters relative to VA programs and policies affecting Minority Veterans .
  Availability: The Library of Congress, Washington DC 20540; and the Center for Minority Veterans, Suite 435, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 18, 2004, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on November 8-10, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will be briefed on various VA rehabilitation related initiatives; receive updates on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force report and recommendations, the Spinal Cord Injury Research Project and Research Model, and other disability and rehabilitation issues related to veterans; and receive a briefing from the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities.
  Contact: Carolyn Davis, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration (28), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail VRECDAVI@VBA.VA.GOV; telephone: 273-7433.

• Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004, of the establishment of the Advisory Committee for CARES Business Plan Studies. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Committee is both necessary and in the public interest.
  The Committee will continue the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process by providing site-specific advice as the process moves into its implementation phase. Thus far, the CARES process has included a February 2004 report by the CARES Commission, a federal advisory committee that conducted 38 public hearings and 81 site visits in 2003, and the Secretary's CARES Decision in May 2004 (based largely upon recommendations in the CARES Commission report).
  The Committee and its subcommittees are expected to carry out their functions through December 2005.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • U.S. Patent Application No. 10/324,374 ``Method of Predicting Cytokine Response to Tissue Injury''.
  Contact: Mindy Aisen, MD, Acting Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at mindy.aisen@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-0473.

• Research Advisory Committee On Gulf War Illnesses, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004, that the Research Advisory Committee On Gulf War Illnesses will meet on October 25-26, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will hear presentations on data collection related to exposures and troop locations during the 1991 Gulf War and the current deployments in Iraq; receive an update on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the lost committee meeting; and receive preliminary information on treatment research for Gulf War illnesses, research related to possible health effects of exposure to oil well fires and other combustible petroleum products during the 1991 Gulf War.
  Contact: Preeti Hans, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0223.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 8, 2004, that the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee will meet on November 5, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include a presentation on the usage of the license and certification test reimbursement benefit; a presentation on improvements, for program purposes, to VA systems; a discussion of the changes VA is considering to the draft VA circular 22-01-01, Appendix C, Licensing and Certification Tests; and a presentation on the results of the second government-wide Advisory Committee Engagement Survey.
  Contact: Giles Larrabee, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Presumptions of Service Connection for Diseases Associated With Service Involving Detention or Internment as a Prisoner of War - The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004, to establish guidelines for establishing presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with service involving detention or internment as a prisoner of war. In accordance with those guidelines, this interim final rule also establishes presumptions of service connection for atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease and for stroke disease arising in former prisoners of war. These rules are necessary because claims based on service involving detention or internment as a prisoner of war present unique medical issues and because factors including the lack of contemporaneous medical records during periods of captivity and the relatively small body of available medical information present obstacles to substantiating claims for service-connected benefits based on prisoner-of-war service. By establishing guidelines for identifying diseases associated with service involving detention or internment as a prisoner of war, these rules will help VA to ensure that claims for service-connected benefits for disability or death of former prisoners of war are decided fairly, consistently, and based on all available medical information concerning the diseases associated with detention or internment as a prisoner of war.
  Effective Date: October 7, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM09.''
  Contact: David Barrans, Deputy Assistant General Counsel (022D), Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, 111 W. Huron Street, Room 22, Buffalo, NY 14202; telephone number (202) 273-6332.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a summary of six legal interpretations issued by the Department's General Counsel, involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by VA, in the Federal Register on October 6, 2004. These interpretations are considered precedential by VA and will be followed by VA officials and employees in future claim matters. The summary is published to provide the public, and, in particular, veterans' benefit claimants and their representatives, with notice of VA's interpretation regarding the legal matter at issue. The full text of such opinions, with personal identifiers deleted, may be accessed on the Internet at http://www1.va.gov/OGC/ Contact: Susan P. Sokoll, Law Librarian, Department of Veterans Affairs (026H), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register October 6, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on October 19-21, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include briefings and updates on issues related to women veterans' issues in the Veterans Health Administration (VETS), including any treatment issues related to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom combat veterans; briefings from VETS's Women Veterans Health Program Deputy Field Directors on issues in the Veterans Benefits Administration, including outreach efforts and the role of the Women Veterans Coordinator in VA Regional Offices; legislative issues affecting women veterans, VA research on women's health issues, upcoming initiatives of the Center for Women Veterans; and briefings from the Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) on employment opportunities for women veterans, next steps and implementation of the National Capital Asset Realignment of Enhanced Services (CARES) recommendations.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller, Center for Women Veterans (00W), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax (202) 273-7092, or e-mail 00W@mail.va.gov.

• Accrued Benefits, Death Compensation, and Special Rules Applicable Upon Death of a Beneficiary - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 1, 2004, to amend adjudication regulations relating to accrued benefits, death compensation, and certain special rules applicable upon the death of a VA beneficiary and to relocate them in a new part of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  Comments Deadline: November 30, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL71.''
  
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-9515.

[September 2004]

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Obtaining Evidence and Curing Procedural Defects - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 3, 2004, to amend the appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The final rule removes the Board's authority to develop evidence for initial consideration unless the appellant or appellant's representative waives the right to initial review by the agency of original jurisdiction of new evidence received by the Board. The final rule also redefines ``agency of original jurisdiction'' to refer to the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, or National Cemetery Administration, depending upon the origin of the appealed decision. This rulemaking is required to simplify the appellate process and to conform to a recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
  Effective date: October 4, 2004.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Chiropractic Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 2, 2004, that the Chiropractic Advisory Committee will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2004. The Committee will receive an update on the status of implementing VA's chiropractic care program and a briefing on VA's research programs. The Committee will also complete its final report.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8558.

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on September 2, 2004, that the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee will meet on September 28, 2004. The meeting will be held in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive presentations related to VA's Long-Term Care Strategic Plan and Long-Term Care Planning Model; VA Geriatric Education (size, scope and outcomes of individual programs); GRECC contributions to VA and methods of rating individual GRECC's performance; progress on projects in Assisted Living and All-Inclusive Care authorized by the Millennium Act; changes to research funding methodology and research tracking data base.
  Contact: Daniel Converse, Designated Federal Officer, Geriatrics and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group (114), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8539.

[August 2004]

• Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations; Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 25, 2004, to amend VA's regulations to codify the provisions of revised OMB Circular A-133. That circular provides standards for consistency and uniformity among Federal agencies for the audits of States, local governments, and non-profit organizations expending Federal awards. Further, this document proposes to codify the provisions of former OMB Circular A-110. That rule provides for uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. Codification of these provisions allows VA to execute these standards and requirements through the establishment of binding rules.
  Comments Deadline: October 25, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AJ62.''
  Contact: John Corso, Management Systems Improvement Service, (008B3), Office of Policy, Planning, and Preparedness, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5053.

• Disciplinary Appeals Board Panel - Section 203 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-40), dated May 7, 1991, revised the disciplinary grievance and appeal procedures for employees appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1). It also required the periodic designation of employees of the Department who are qualified to serve on Disciplinary Appeals Boards. These employees constitute the Disciplinary Appeals Board panel from which Board members in a case are appointed. This notice, published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2004, announces that the roster of employees on the panel is available for review and comment. Employees, employee organizations, and other interested parties shall be provided, without charge, a list of the names of employees on the panel upon request and may submit comments concerning the suitability for service on the panel of any employee whose name is on the list.
  Requests for the list of names of employees on the panel and written comments may be directed to: Secretary of Veterans Affairs (051E), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; fax (202) 273-9776.
  Contact: Catherine Baranek, Employee Relations Specialist (051E), Office of Human Resources Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (336) 631-5019.

• Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 24, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities will meet at the Export Import Bank, in Washington, DC, on September 2 - 3, 2004. The Committee will review developments in the fields of fire safety issues and structural design as they relate to seismic and other natural hazards safety of buildings, and receive briefings/presentations on appropriate current fire and seismic safety issues that are particularly relevant to facilities owned and leased by the Department. The Committee will also vote on appropriate structural and fire safety recommendations for inclusion in VA's standards.
  Contact: Mr. Krishna K. Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Facilities Quality Service, Office of Facilities Management (181A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • Provisional Patent Application No. 60/547,052 ``Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Bladder Cancer.''
  Contact: Mindy Aisen, MD, Acting Director, Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at mindy.aisen@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-0473.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 17, 2004, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation will meet on September 1-3, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will discuss the information gathered from three separate fact-finding site visits accomplished this spring to the following Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers: Palo Alto, California; Miami, Florida; and Dallas, Texas.
  Contact: Carolyn Davis, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Benefits Administration (28), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. 20420; telephone: 273-7208.

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service; Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 17, 2004, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service, Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on October 6 - 7, 2004, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The meeting will involve consideration of specific proposals in accordance with provisions set forth in section 10(d) of Public Law 92-463, as amended by sections 5(c) of Public Law 94-409, and 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) and (c)(9).
  Contact: Renee Kenan, Program Specialist, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. 20420; telephone: 254-0266.

• Compensation for Certain Cases of Bilateral Deafness - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 9, 2004, to amend VA's adjudication regulations concerning how to rate claims of veterans with bilateral hearing impairment when hearing loss in one ear is service connected and hearing loss in the other ear is not. The amendment is necessary to implement a statutory provision of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002, which will now factor in nonservice-connected hearing loss of one ear when hearing loss in the other ear is service connected and hearing loss manifests to a specified degree. This enables VA to pay compensation for such claims as if the combined hearing loss in both ears is service connected. These amendments are non-substantive because they are restatements of statutes and interpretive rules.
  Effective Date: December 6, 2002.
  Contact: Beth McCoy, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service (211A), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0347. Or contact Daniel Schoeps, Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

• Patients' Rights - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 9, 2004, to amend VA's medical regulations to update the patients' rights regulation by bringing its provisions regarding medication, restraints and seclusion into conformity with current law and practice. The changes are primarily intended to clarify that it is permissible for VA patients to receive medication prescribed by any health care professional legally authorized to prescribe medication, and that it is permissible for any authorized licensed health care professional to order the use of restraints and seclusion when necessary.
  Comments Deadline: October 8, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL66.''
  Contact: Audrey Drake, Program Director (108), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-6740.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US04/00889 ''Inducing Weight Loss by Vagus Nerve Stimulations in the Neck.''
  Contact: Mindy Aisen, MD, Department of Veterans Affairs, Director Technology Transfer Program, Research and Development Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at mindy.aisen@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-0473.

• Additional Disability or Death Due to Hospital Care, Medical or Surgical Treatment, Examination, Training and Rehabilitation Services, or Compensated Work Therapy Program - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 3, 2004, to amend VA's adjudication regulations concerning awards of compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation for additional disability or death caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, examination, training and rehabilitation services, or compensated work therapy (CWT) program. Under this amendment, benefits are payable for additional disability or death caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination only if VA fault or ``an event not reasonably foreseeable'' proximately caused the disability or death. Benefits also are payable for additional disability or death proximately caused by VA's provision of training and rehabilitation services or CWT program. This amendment reflects amendments to 38 U.S.C. 1151, the statutory authority for such benefits.
  Effective Date: September 2, 2004
  Contact: Beth McCoy, Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service (211A), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL 33617; telephone: 202-273-7211.

[July 2004]

• 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 July 8, 2004, to announce the availability of funds for assistance under the Life Safety Code grant component of VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
  Applications must be received by Grant and Per Diem Field Office, by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 17, 2004. [Applications may not be sent by facsimile.]
  Application Source: Download directly from VA's Grant and Per Diem Program web page at: http://www.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=3 or call the Grant and Per Diem Program at (toll-free) 1-877-332-0334.
  Contact: Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2004, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on July 26 - 28, 2003, in New York, New York. The Committee agenda will include town hall-style meeting with VA Education Liaison Representatives, certifying officials, veteran students, and State Approving Agency Directors; and Committee discussions on pending and new legislation, and briefings from subcommittees on accelerated payment issues, the Veterans' Education Outreach Program, Chapter 1606 restructuring, and other Chapter 1606 reserve issues.
  Contact: Mr. Stephen Dillard or Mr. Michael Yunker, Department of Veterans Affairs, Education Service (225B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Copayments for Extended Care Services - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 1, 2004, to amend VA's medical regulations by modifying provisions regarding the methodology of computing copayments for extended care services provided to veterans. This final rule enhances the protection of veterans' spouses by not counting certain assets as available resources for computing these copayments.
  Effective Date: August 2, 2004.
  Contact: Eileen Downey, Chief Business Office, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0347. Or contact Daniel Schoeps, Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8540.

• Eligibility for Burial in a National Cemetery for Surviving Spouses Who Remarry and New Philippine Scouts - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 1, 2003, to implement sections 212 and 502 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-183). Section 502 of the Act extends eligibility for burial in a national cemetery to a remarried surviving spouse who died on or after January 1, 2000, based on his or her prior marriage to an eligible veteran. Additionally, section 212 of the Act extends eligibility for burial in a national cemetery to New Philippine Scouts who lawfully resided in the United States and died on or after December 16, 2003.
  Effective Date: August 2, 2004.
  Contact: Beth Beardsley, Program Analyst, Office of Field Programs (41A), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5227 .

[June 2004]

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notices in the Federal Register on June 28, 2004, of two inventions owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. 10/717,481 ``Externally-Powered Hand Prosthesis.''
  • International Patent Application No. 60/534,365 ``Mechanical Lateral Transfer Accessory to Patient Lifting Devices.''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), 810 of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 273-0473.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 28, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. 60/545,532 ``Method of Ameliorating or Abrogating the Effects of a Neurodegenerative Disorder, such as Huntington's Disease, by Sodium Butyrate Chemotherapy.''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), 810 of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 273-0473.

• Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses and Deployment Health Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 24, 2004 of the establishment of the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses and Deployment Health Scientific Merit Review Board. The Board is expected to make recommendations that will improve the quality of VA research pertaining to the health consequences of participation in the Gulf War (Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, August 1990-July 1991) and other military deployments. Focused advice from subject matter experts on the Board will enhance the Department's efforts to restore the capabilities of veterans with deployment-related disabilities and to improve the quality of their lives by promoting their functional independence.
  The Board will advise VA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) leadership on the scientific merit, technical merit, and mission relevance of research pertaining to the health effects of participation in the Gulf War and other military deployments before and since that conflict. The Board will: (1) Review Gulf War veterans' illnesses and deployment health research and development proposals administered locally by VA facilities for scientific and technical merit; (2) prepare summary recommendations to ORDleadership on all proposals based upon independent review, Board discussions, and site visits, where necessary; and (3) advise ORDleadership regarding the status of Gulf War veterans' illnesses and deployment health research and development as applicable to the Board members' areas of expertise.

• Chiropractic Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on June 22, 2004, that the Chiropractic Advisory Committee will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on July 13 - 14, 2004. The Committee will receive updates and briefings on the status of the recommendations to the Secretary, the chiropractic occupational study and qualification standard, the VHA performance measurement process; and the Committee will complete development of educational recommendations, and discuss of quality/program evaluation.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail: sara.mcvicker@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-8559.

• Sensori-neural Aids - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, June 16, 2004, to amend an existing regulation which authorizes VA to provide sensori-neural aids (i.e., eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids) to seven specific groups of veterans identified in the regulation. The first four groups consist of veterans with the highest priority for care under VA's enrollment system, generally those with compensable service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, and those receiving increased VA pension based on their being housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Subsequent to promulgating the regulation, Congress changed the law to provide that veterans awarded the Purple Heart should have priority equal to former prisoners of war under VA's enrollment system. To be consistent, VA is proposing to amend the sensori-neural aids regulation to allow veterans in receipt of a Purple Heart to also receive sensori-neural aids.
  Effective Date: July 16, 2004.
  Contact: Frederick Downs, Jr., Chief Consultant, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Strategic Healthcare Group (113), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone (202) 273-8515.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 8, 2004, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on June 23 - 24, 2004 in East Orange, NJ. The Committee will be briefed on a number of research presentations; there will be clinical presentations and a roundtable discussion; the Committee will also hear a presentation on ``Understanding the Biochemical Basis of Gulf War Illnesses'' by Sharon Mates, PhD, and Allen Feinberg, PhD, of Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc; and receive an update on recent research.
  Contact: Laura O'Shea, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (008A1), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 275-5031.

• VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program; Religious Organizations - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2004, to revise provisions of the regulations concerning the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program that apply to religious organizations that receive VA funds under VA's Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
  Consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the proposed rule removed the regulatory prohibition against religious organizations making employment decisions on a religious basis; as such organizations do not forfeit that exemption when administering VA-funded programs. Also, the proposed rule ensured that direct government funds are not used for inherently religious activities.
  Effective Date: July 8, 2004.
  Contact: Guy Liedke, VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 N. 46th Street, Suite C-100, Tampa, FL33617; toll-free telephone: 1-877-332-0334.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, OH - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 4, 2004, that the Secretary intends to designate 3.58 acres of land at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be leased under an enhanced-use lease. The Department intends to enter into a 60-year lease of real property with a selected lessee/developer, who would be responsible for all costs and risks associated with the design, construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and provision of services to manage an affordable housing facility consisting of 166 units for veterans and non-veterans.
  Contact: Vanessa Chambers, Capital Asset Management and Planning Service (182C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-6554.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of Practice--Motions for Revision of Decisions on Grounds of Clear and Unmistakable Error: Advancement on the Docket - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 4, 2004, to affirm the interim final rule amending the Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) relating to challenges to Board decisions on the grounds of ``clear and unmistakable error''. The amendment provides for advancing clear and unmistakable error motions on the docket.
  Effective Date: June 4, 2004.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Responsibilities of the Departments of Commerce and Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration With Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 3, 2004, to order the Secretaries of Commerce and Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish within their respective agencies a Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Each of these Centers shall be supervised by a Director, appointed by the agency head in consultation with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (White House OFBCI). Each Center shall begin operations no later than 45 days from the date of this order [Executive Order 13342].
  

[May 2004]

• Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans; Reporting Requirements, Suspension and Termination Events, Overpayments and Underpayments, Administrative Review Process, Claimant Representation, and Federal Administration of State Recognition Payments - The Social Security Administration (SSA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 10, 2004, relative to rules applicable to claims for special veterans benefits (SVB) under title VIII of the Social Security Act (the Act). The was effective in May 2000 and provides monthly benefits to certain World War II (WWII) veterans who previously were eligible for supplemental security income payments under the Act and reside outside the United States. In these final rules, SSA is setting forth six new subparts that deal with the following topics: the events WWII veterans must report to SSA after they apply for SVB, the circumstances that will affect their SVB entitlement, how SSA handles overpayments and underpayments under the SVB program, how the administrative review process works, a WWII veteran's right to appoint someone to represent them in their dealings with SSA, and administration agreements SSA may enter into with a State under which SSA will pay supplemental recognition payments to a WWII veteran on the State's behalf.
  Social Security Administration Contact: Robert J. Augustine, Social Insurance Specialist, Office of Regulations, Social Security Administration, Room 100, Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401; telephone: (410) 965-0020 or TTY (410) 966-5609.

• Summary of Precedent Opinions of the General Counsel - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a summary of twenty-four legal interpretations issued by the Department's General Counsel, involving veterans' benefits under laws administered by VA, in the Federal Register on May 5, 2004. These interpretations are considered precedential by VA and will be followed by VA officials and employees in future claim matters. The summary is published to provide the public, and, in particular, veterans' benefit claimants and their representatives, with notice of VA's interpretation regarding the legal matter at issue. The full text of such opinions, with personal identifiers deleted, may be accessed on the Internet at http://www1.va.gov/OGC/ Contact: Susan P. Sokoll, Law Librarian, Department of Veterans Affairs (026H), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6558.

• VA Directive and Handbook 5021, Employee/Management Relations Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register May 5, 2004, that Section 302 of the Veterans Health Care, Capital Asset and Business Improvement Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-170), dated December 6, 2003, authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to appoint chiropractors as permanent full-time title 38 employees under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1). Also appointed under this authority are physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, nurse anesthetists, physician assistants and expanded-function dental auxiliaries. Upon successful completion of probationary status as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(b), these title 38 employees may file an appeal to a Disciplinary Appeals Board if they are subjected to major adverse action that is based in whole or in part on a question of professional conduct and competence.
  Contact: Jeanette Anderson, Employee Relations Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Human Resources Management (051E), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-9901.

• Federal Acquisition Regulation; Procurement Program for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns - The Departments of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have published an interim rule in the Federal Register on May 5, 2004, that they have agreed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 308 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, Procurement Program for Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans (Pub. L. 108-183). The law provides for set-aside and sole source procurement authority for service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns. This interim rule is published in conjunction with the interim rule proposed by the Small Business Administration.
  FAR Contact: Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst; telephone: (202) 501-0044. FAR officials ask that interested persons cite FAC 2001-23, FAR case 2004-002.

[April 2004]

• National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2004 - The President of the United States of America published a proclamation in the Federal Register on April 13, 2004 , to honor brave Americans who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of hardship and terror, and proclaiming April 9, 2004 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 7, 2004, that the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education will meet on January 28, 2003, in Washington, DC. The Committee agenda will include ethics training, review of pending legislation, equity issues for reserve components, electronic transmission of VA certification, and raising of reporting fees to certifying officials.
  Contact: Mr. Stephen Dillard or Mr. Michael Yunker, Department of Veterans Affairs, Education Service (225B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 9, 2004 , that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on June 1, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will review and discuss the Fiscal Year 2003 draft Capacity Report; the Committee be briefed by the Chief Consultants, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids, and Spinal Cord Injury; briefings will also be conducted by the Acting Director of the Blind Rehabilitation Service and the Chief Consultant Medical/Surgical Services on the Seamless Transition program.
  Contact: Cynthia Wade, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group (117), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8485.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 7, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US02/37988 ``Use of Gingko Biloba Extracts to Promote Neuroprotection and Reduce Weight Loss.''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development (12TT), 810 of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 273-0473.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments and Headstone or Marker Allowance Rate - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, on April 7, 2004, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and spina bifida, and birth defects programs. These adjustments are based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index during the one year period ending September 30, 2003. VA is also giving notice of the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be paid for headstones or markers purchased in lieu of Government-furnished headstones or markers in Fiscal Year 2004, which began on October 1, 2003.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2003.
  Effective Date for headstone or marker allowance rate: October 1, 2002.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (212B), Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• National Research Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 2, 200 , that the National Research Advisory Council will meet on April 13, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Council will receive informational briefings on the status of the VA research program.
  Contact: Karen Scott, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0200.

[March 2004]

• State Cemetery Grants - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 29, 2004, to amend its regulations governing grants to States to establish, expand, or improve State veterans' cemeteries. The final rule implements a statutory change effected by the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, which changed the grant formula from a 50-50 Federal-State matching program to a program that authorizes up to 100 percent Federal funding of certain costs. Contact: William Jayne, Director of State Cemetery Grants Service, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-6152.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register March 26, 2004 , that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on April 20 - 22, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include briefings and updates on issues related to women veterans' issues in VA's Veterans Health Administration, data on recent combat veterans from the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center Database, the release of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Report, focus group site visits, compensation and pension benefits, plans for incorporating and providing service to women veterans into VA's Vet Centers, and legislative issues affecting women veterans.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller, Center for Women Veterans (00W), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax (202) 273-7092, or e-mail 00W@mail.va.gov.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Saint Cloud, MN - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 18, 2004 , that the Department intends to enter into a 50-year lease of real property with a selected lessee/developer who would be responsible for all costs and risks associated with the design, construction, operation and maintenance of an affordable housing facility not less than 60-units and a caretaker's unit for veterans and non-veterans.
  Contact: Vanessa Chambers, Capital Asset Management and Planning Service (182C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-6554.

• Chiropractic Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 12, 2004, that the Chiropractic Advisory Committee will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on March 30 - 31, 2004. The Committee will receive updates and briefings on the status of the recommendations to the Secretary, the chiropractic occupational study and qualification standard, the VHA performance measurement process; and the Committee will complete development of educational recommendations, and discuss of quality/program evaluation.
  Contact: Sara McVicker, RN, Committee Manager, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Eligibility for an Appropriate Government Marker for a Grave Already Marked at Private Expense - The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on September 25, 2003, to amend Departmental regulations to reflect changes made by the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 and the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002. Those changes allow VA to furnish an appropriate Government marker for the grave of an eligible veteran buried in a private cemetery, regardless of whether the grave is already marked with a privately purchased marker. Pursuant to the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002, the provisions of this interim final rule shall apply to requests to mark graves or memorialize eligible veterans whose deaths occurred on or after September 11, 2001.
  The interim final rule was affirmed, without any changes, as a final rule, on March 11, 2004. Effective Date: September 25, 2003.
  Effective Date: September 25, 2003.
  Contact: David K. Schettler, Director of Memorial Programs Service (MPS), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 501-3100.

• Delegation of Authority--Property Management Contractor - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on March 8, 2004, to amend its delegation of authority regulation with respect to the loan guaranty program, to permit certain officers of the private contractor performing property management functions to execute all documents necessary for the management and sale of single-family properties acquired by VA under its housing loan guaranty program.
  Effective Date: March 8, 2004.
  Contact: William W. Lutes, Assistant Director for Property Management and Strategic Development (263), Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7379.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Appeals Regulations; Rules of Practice - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on February 3, 1992, to amend the appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
  The proposed rule and the comments have been superseded by events. Accordingly, Department of Veterans Affairs has withdrawn the proposed rule, effective March 4, 2004.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, March 1, 2004, as required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-147), regarding cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs.
  Effective Date: December 1, 2003.
  Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (213B), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7218.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on March 1, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/27163 ``Variable Compliance Joystick with Compensation Algorithms.''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Director Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; fax: (202) 273-0473.

[February 2004]

• Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 23, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans will meet on March 23-24, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive reports and information requested by the Committee from its 2003 Annual Report, from governmental and outside entities.
  Contact: Pete Dougherty, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5764.

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 10, 2004, that the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force will meet on February 18, 2004 in Washington, DC. The principal purpose of the meeting is to conduct final deliberations on those recommendations contained in the Task Force report which will be formally presented to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the near future. Contact: John O'Hara, Designated Federal Officer, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Task Force, c/o Office of Policy, Planning, and Preparedness (008B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at john.o'hara@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-5991.

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 3, 2004, that the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet on February 19 - 20, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive presentations on infectious diseases in Gulf War veterans, immunological research and findings in Gulf War veterans, and research concerning the biological effects and health concerns of depleted uranium. The Committee will also receive an update on VA-sponsored Gulf War illness research.
  Contact: Charlie M. Flora, M.S.W., Designated Federal Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs (15), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-8969.

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on February 3, 2004, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet on February 23 - 24, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive presentations on infectious diseases in Gulf War veterans, immunological research and findings in Gulf War veterans, and research concerning the biological effects and health concerns of depleted uranium. The Committee will also receive an update on VA-sponsored Gulf War illness research.
  Contact: Laura O'Shea, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (008A1), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 275-5031.

[January 2004]

• Service Requirements for Veterans - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on January 30, 2004, to amend its Compensation and Pension regulations relating to service requirements for veterans, currently found in part 3 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and to relocate them in new part 5. We propose to reorganize these regulations in a more logical order, add new section and paragraph headings, rewrite certain sections, and divide certain sections into one or more separate new sections. The Department's principal goals in rewriting and reorganizing the current regulations are to provide readers with clearer language and more easily understood regulatory requirements.
  Comments deadline: March 30, 2004.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1154, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL67.''
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, C&P Regulations Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• National Commission on VA Nursing; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 28, 2004, that the National Commission on VA Nursing will meet on February 10 - 11, 2004 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Commission will complete its consideration of recommendations to be submitted to Congress and the Secretary. This is expected to be the last formal meeting of the Commission.
  Contact: Ms. Oyweda Moorer, Director of the National Commission on VA Nursing, at Department of Veterans Affairs (108N), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-4944.

• Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 28, 2004, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on February 24, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive a progress report on the Licensing and Certification Approval System as part of The Education Expert System, and a presentation on licensure and certification usage.
  Contact: Giles Larrabee, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (225B), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7187.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 15, 2004, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on February 11-12, 2004 in Washington, DC. 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 those 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: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 275-1728.

• Government Owned Invention for Licensing - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on January 12, 2004, of an invention owned by the U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and available for licensing in accordance with 35 USC 207 and 37 CFR part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patents are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for US companies and may also be available for licensing:
  • International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/23257 ``Method of Detecting and Preventing Alzheimer's Disease, Particularly at Prodromal and Early Stages''
  Contact: Robert W. Potts, Director Technology Transfer Program, Research and Development Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 273-5226.

• Charges Used for Recovery From Tortiously Liable Third Parties for Medical Care or Services Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on January 7, 2004, which amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations with respect to charges used for the purpose of recovering from tortiously liable third parties the reasonable value of medical care and services provided by VA. The effect of this action is to amend VA's medical regulations to conform with the decision of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding the charges that are to be used for this purpose.
  Effective Date: January 7, 2004.
  Contact: David Cleaver, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

[December 2003]

• Standards for Collection, Compromise, Suspension, or Termination of Collection Effort, and Referral of Civil Claims for Money or Property; Regional Office Committees on Waivers and Compromises; Salary Offset Provisions; Delegations of Authority - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 29, 2003, to revise its current regulations concerning the collection, compromise, suspension, termination, and referral of debts owed to VA. The proposed revision clarifies and simplifies debt collection standards and reflects changes to Federal debt collection procedures under the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. VA also proposes to revise regulations pertaining to the administration of regional office Committees on Waivers and Compromises, as well as a regulation pertaining to delegations of authority to the Assistant Secretary for Management.
  Comments Deadline: February 27, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AK10.''
  Contact: Peter Mulhern, Cash and Debt Management Division (047GC1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5570.

• Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee, of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register December 29, 2003, that the Medical Research Service Merit Review Committee will meet on January 13, 2004, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public for approximately one hour at the start to discuss the general status of the program. The remaining portion of the meeting will be closed to the public for discussion and evaluation of the scientific review of initial and renewal projects.
  Contact: LeRoy G. Frey, Ph.D., Chief, Program Review Division, Medical Research Service (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register December 29, 2003, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on January 27-29, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Committee's agenda will include briefings and updates on issues related to women veterans' issues in the Veterans Health Administration, research studies on women veterans' health, the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process, focus group site visits, the Stakeholder Engagement Survey administered by the General Services Administration, legislative issues affecting women veterans, compensation and pension benefits, the Veterans' Employment and Training Service administered by the Department of Labor, and the VA Homeless Program.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller, Center for Women Veterans (00W), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax (202) 273-7092, or e-mail 00W@mail.va.gov.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2003 Methodology Changes - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 23, 2003, 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 that occur during calendar year 2004. The net allowance payable for qualifying interments occurring during calendar year 2004, is $154.91.
  Contact: Lisa Ciolek, Capital and Performance Budgeting (402A12), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5161.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2003 Methodology Changes - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2003, to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning ``reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • For a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • For a nonservice-connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • For a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  VA also published a notice that if information for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities using these methodologies was set forth in a notice published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2003 (68 FR 56892) as a companion document to the proposed rule containing such methodologies published in the same issue of the Federal Register.
  Effective date: December 19, 2003.
  Contact: Stephanie Mardon, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0362.

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register December 18, 2003, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on January 27-28, 2004, in Washington, DC. The Board's activities will focus on a review of research and development applications at a meeting closed to the public.
  Contact: Victoria Mongiardo, Program Analyst, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0054.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Obtaining Evidence and Curing Procedural Defects - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on December 11, 2003, to amend the appeals Regulations and Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) by removing the Board's authority to develop evidence for initial consideration.
  Comments Deadline: January 12, 2004.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AL77.''
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Enhanced-Use Lease Development of Property at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, OH - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 5, 2003, that the Secretary intends to designate Building 401, with an abutting playground at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medi