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

Except as noted, the numbers listed in this document are not toll-free.

[December 2006]

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 28, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on January 22, 2007, at the VA Medical Center in Saint Albans, New York.
  The purpose of the meeting is to present and receive public comment on the proposed capital plan for new facilities at Saint Albans and the process for receiving community input on developing reuse proposals for portions of the campus that will be vacated.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@va.gov.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2007 Calendar Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on December 22, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' for nonservice-connected medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Data for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities based on these methodologies will either be published in a notice in the Federal Register or will be posted on the Internet site of the Veterans Health Administration Chief Business Office, currently at http://www1.va.gov/CBO/rates.asp; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Effective date: January 1, 2007.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

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

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

• Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on December 14, 2006, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on March 6 through 8, 2007, in San Francisco, California. The following subcommittees will convene:
  • Chronic Disease Management & Long Term Aging
  • Equity/Women's Health review group
  • Implementation and Management Research Science
  • General Health Services Research
  • Nursing Research Initiative
  • Special Populations
  The purpose of Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services, the testing of new methods of health care delivery and management, and nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Scientific Merit Review Program Manager (124R), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1722 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0207.

[November 2006]

• Medical: Informed Consent--Extension of Time Period and Modification of Witness Requirement for Signature Consent - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register, November 28, 2006, to amend VA medical regulations on informed consent, by (1) extending the period of time during which a signed consent form remains valid from 30 to 60 days; and by (2) eliminating the requirement that a third party witness the patient or surrogate and practitioner signing the consent form; except in those circumstances where the patient or surrogate signs with an ``X'' due to a debilitating illness or disability, or because the patient is unable to read or write.
  Effective Date: December 28, 2006.
  Contact: Ruth Cecire, PhD, Policy Analyst, Ethics Policy Service, National Center for Ethics in Health Care (10E), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 501-2012.

• Loan Guaranty: Loan Servicing and Claims Procedures Modifications - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a supplemental notice in the Federal Register on November 27, 2006, regarding a proposal to amend its lLoan Guaranty regulations related to several aspects of the servicing and liquidating of guaranteed housing loans in default, and submission of guaranty claims by loan holders. The supplemental notice provides specific information regarding the computer-based system that VA proposes to implement as part of the loan servicing and claims procedure modifications in this rulemaking. VA is reopening the comment period for the limited purpose of accepting public comments concerning the supplemental information provided in this notice.
  Note: Comments previously received regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking for RIN 2900-AL65, published February 18, 2005 (70 FR 8472), will still be considered in the rulemaking process and do not need to be resubmitted.
  Comments deadline: December 11, 2006.
  Address: Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Room 1068, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or through http://www.regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900- AL65.''
  Contact: Mike Frueh, Assistant Director for Loan Management (261), Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7325.

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

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

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

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

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register November 14, 2006, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on December 11 through 12, 2006, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public for the discussion of administrative matters, the general status of the program and the administrative details of the review process. The meeting will be closed for the Board's review of research and development applications.
  Contact: Dr. Denise Burton, Federal Designated Officer, Portfolio Manager, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0268.

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on November 1, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2006. The agenda for the meeting will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute of Medicine. The Commission will receive initial presentations on several draft Issue Papers. The Commission will also review and approve an Issue Paper outlining the Commission's position to recommend lump sum payments be removed from consideration as an option for compensating veterans with disabilities.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

[October 2006]

• Notice and Assistance Requirements - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 31, 2006, to amend its regulation governing VA's duty to provide a claimant with notice of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate a claim and VA's duty to assist a claimant in obtaining the evidence necessary to substantiate the claim. The purpose of these proposed changes is to clarify when VA has no duty to notify a claimant of how to substantiate a claim for benefits, to make the regulation comply with statutory changes, and to streamline the development of claims.
  Comments Deadline: January 2, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM17.''
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

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

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

• Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 26, 2006, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses will meet at Community Center of the VA Medical Center, in Dallas, Texas on November 6 and 7, 2006. The Committee will review VA program activities related to Gulf War veterans' illnesses and updates on scientific research on Gulf War illnesses published since the last Committee meeting. Additionally, there will be scientific presentations on research programs and studies related to Gulf War illnesses at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, an update on the VA Gulf War tissue repository, and discussion of committee business and activities.
  Contact: Dr. William Goldberg, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0294.

• Special Medical Advisory Group; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 26, 2006, that the Special Medical Advisory Group will meet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2006. The agenda for the meeting will include discussion of the Veterans Health Administration's leadership transition, an update of the information technology reorganization, CARES, Project HERO, graduate medical education, staff tenure, the physician pay bill, and public relations with regard to the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom population.
  Contact: Juanita Leslie, Office of Administrative Operations (10B2), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5882.

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 17, 2006, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during November and December 2006, in Washington, DC. The purpose of the Merit Review Board is to provide advice on the scientific quality, budget, safety and mission relevance of investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for VA merit review consideration. Proposals submitted for review by the Board involve a wide range of medical specialties within the general areas of biomedical, behavioral and clinic science research.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

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

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 13, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet on October 31 through November 2, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda will include briefings and updates presented by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), highlighting VA research and studies related to women's health issues, a briefing from VHA's Women Veterans Health Program Director, legislative issues related to veterans, presentation of Certificates of Appointment to six new Committee members, upcoming initiatives of the Center for Women Veterans; briefings and updates presented on VA's polytrauma program, VHA's Office of Seamless Transition, VA's HealthierUS Veterans Initiative, VA Homeless Programs and Initiatives, and an ethics briefing for Committee members; also, the committee will be briefed and updated on issues in the Veterans Benefits Administration, from the VA Chief of Staff, on VA mental health programs, and from the 2005 Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service (DACOWITS) Report.
  Contact: Desiree Long at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans (OOW), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax: (202) 273-7092, or e-mail: OOW@mail.va.gov.

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 6, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission will meet in Washington, DC, on October 19 and 20, 2006. The agenda will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Center for Naval Analyses; comments from stakeholders and the public on the Center for Naval Analyses' draft report on lump sum payments as an option for compensating veterans with disabilities; a continuing discussion of the line of duty and concurrent receipt issue papers presented at the September 14 meeting of the Commission; a new draft issue paper on character at discharge; a summary of the final site visit to the Southern Region conducted in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia; and updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Institute of Medicine.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.com.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 5, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on November 8 and 9, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues; tour the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, the Annapolis National Cemetery and the United States Naval Academy Cemetery, in Maryland; and discuss Committee recommendations, future meeting sites, and potential agenda topics.
  Contact: Michael Nacincik, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5221; e-mail: mike.nacincik @mail.va.gov.

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

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Washington, DC, for October 17 and 18, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies (the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), as well as research information (the premature disclosure of which would be likely to compromise significantly the implementation of proposed agency action regarding such research projects).
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Deputy Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0183.

• Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on CARES Business Plan Studies will meet on October 19, 2006 in Saint Albans, New York.
  The agenda will include a discussion of the summary of the proposed space plan and siting of new multi-specialty outpatient clinic on the VA Medical Center Saint Albans campus.
  Contact: Jay Halpern, Designated Federal Officer, (00CARES), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5994; e-mail: jay.halpern@hq.med.va.gov.

• Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006, that the Veteran's Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will meet on ember 13 and 14, 2006 in Washington, DC. The agenda will include discussions of medical and scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. On the basis of the discussions, the Committee may make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain diseases to exposure to ionizing radiation. On November 13, there will be a presentation by Department of Veterans Affairs' Public Health and Environmental Hazards Office.
  Contact: Bernice Green, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211; fax: (202) 275-1728.

[September 2006]

• Reasonable Charges for Inpatient DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) and SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Medical Services; 2007 Fiscal Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 28, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ``reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • for a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Data for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities based on these methodologies will either be published in a notice in the Federal Register or will be posted on the Internet site of the Veterans Health Administration Chief Business Office, currently at http://www.va.gov/cbo; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Effective Date: October 1, 2006.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Clarification of a Notice of Disagreement - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 28, 2006, amending regulations governing appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals to clarify the actions an agency of original jurisdiction must take to determine whether a written communication from a claimant that is ambiguous in its purpose is intended to be a Notice of Disagreement with an adverse claims decision.
  Effective Date: October 30, 2006.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 22, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans will meet on October 24 through 25, 2006, in Anchorage, Alaska. The agenda will include panel discussions with key staff members from the Alaska VA Health Center Care System, Regional Office, and Fort Richardson National Cemetery on services and benefit delivery challenges, successes and concerns for the Anchorage area veterans; a panel discussion with Native tribal leadership on their concerns, assessments and observations of Alaskan Native veteran's needs; a panel discussion with area Veterans Service Organizations; and a town hall meeting at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown.
  Contact: Juanita Mullen or Renaee Allen, Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Center for Minority Veterans (00M), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6708.

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

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

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

• Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Prosthetics and Special Disabilities Programs will meet on October 3 and 4, 2006, 2006, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive briefings by the Chief Consultant, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group; Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Director of Ophthalmology and Optometry; Chief Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer; and the Chief Research and Development Officer.
  Contact: Cynthia Wade, Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Health Administration, Patient Care Services, Rehabilitation Strategic Healthcare Group (117), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8485.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Establishment - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2006, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on October 16, 2006 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive an overview of the VA health care system and electronic medical record, and will be asked to provide insight into optimal ways for VA to incorporate genomic information into its health care program while applying appropriate ethical oversight and protecting the privacy of veterans.
  Contact: Dr. Timothy O'Leary; e-mail: timothy.oleary@va.gov.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[August 2006]

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 31, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Rockville, Maryland, for August 31, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of qualifications of the personnel conducting the studies (the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy), as well as research information (the premature disclosure of which would be likely to compromise significantly the implementation of proposed agency action regarding such research projects).
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Deputy Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0183.

• Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 30, 2006, that the Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee will meet on October 12 through 13, 2006, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Committee agenda will include NAC goals and objectives, minutes of the May 2006 meeting, Veterans Health Administration update, VAVS update of the Voluntary Service program's progress, concerns since the May 2006 NAC annual meeting, Parke Board update, evaluations of the May 2006 annual meeting, plans for 2007 NAC annual meeting, to include workshops and plenary sessions, 2008 NAC annual meeting planning, recommendations from May 2006 NAC annual meeting, subcommittee reports, standard operating procedure revisions, new business and Executive Committee appointments.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Designated Federal Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8952.

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

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program--Initial Evaluations - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 28, 2006, to amend regulations concerning initial evaluations of individuals who apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. These proposed regulations are intended to reflect changes in law, VA's interpretation of applicable law and its determinations of procedures appropriate for use in the initial evaluation, to improve readability, and to make other nonsubstantive changes.
  Comments Deadline: October 27, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM25.''
  
  Contact: Catherine Kruger, Senior Policy Analyst, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (28), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7344; or Mark Hawkins, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6923.

• Reasonable Charges for Medical Care or Services; 2006 Mid Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 25, 2006, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ''reasonable charges'' for a nonservice-connected disability:
  • for a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Data for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities based on these methodologies will either be published in a notice in the Federal Register or will be posted on the Internet site of the Veterans Health Administration Chief Business Office, currently at http://www1.va.gov/cbo, under ``Charge Data (Rates).''
  Effective date: August 25, 2006.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0361.

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

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 18, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for September 5, 2006, in Atlanta, GA. The Commission is conducting the final of eight fact-finding, data-gathering site visits throughout the United States. The Atlanta area was selected based on criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members and National Guard and Reserves, and the location of Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, with particular interest in transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities; examine the processes in place which assist disabled veterans and service members, and survivors in their efforts to obtain benefits and to present these individuals and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission and to offer comments in face-to-face forums.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 18, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet on September 7 and 8, 2006 in Washington, DC. The agenda will focus on coordination of services between VA and the Department of Defense as this relates to ensuring a seamless transition for returning war veterans; deployment-related problems faced by service members and their families; Battlemind Training as developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research; current activities of the Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center program to serve the veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; partnership between VA and DOD in implementing the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Program; strategic planning activities, and drafting recommendations for the Committee's next report to Congress.
  Contact: Charlie M. Flora, M.S.W., Designated Federal Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, Department of Veterans Affairs (15), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; e-mail at bob.potts@mail.va.gov; telephone: (202) 275-8969.

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

• Priority for Partial Grants to States for Construction or Acquisition of State Home Facilities - The Department of Veterans Affairs published an interim final rule in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006, to amend regulations regarding grants to States for construction or acquisition of State homes. This amendment is necessary to ensure that projects designed to remedy conditions at an existing State home that have been cited as threatening to the lives or safety of the residents receive priority for receiving VA grants in the future (including in fiscal year 2007).
  Effective Date: August 11, 2006.
  Comments Deadline: October 10, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9026; or e-mail comments through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM42.''
  Contact: Frank Salvas, Chief, State Home Construction Grant Program (114), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone number (202) 273-8534.

• Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs; Public Meeting - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a notice in the Federal Register on August 9, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs has scheduled a public meeting on September 12 and 13, 2006. The meeting will be held in Washington, DC.
  SBA Contact:: Cheryl Clark, Program Liaison, in the Office of Veterans Business Development, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 205-6773; e-mail: cheryl.clark@sba.gov; fax: (202) 254-0473.

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

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

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

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on August 28, 2006, that the meetings of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2006 have been cancelled.
  Contact: Marcia Holt-Delaney, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care (114), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8540.

[July 2006]

• Definition of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 28, 2006, to amend the regulations to define the term ``psychosis.'' The term is used but not defined in certain statutes that provide presumptive service connection for compensation. The intended effect of this amendment is consistent application of these statutory provisions.
  Effective Date: August 28, 2006.
  Contact: Bill Russo, Chief, Regulations Staff (211D), Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

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

• Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register July 25, 2006, that the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board will meet on August 28 through 31, 2006, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public for the discussion of administrative matters, the general status of the program and the administrative details of the review process. The meeting will be closed on August 28 through August 29 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on August 30 through August 31 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the Board's review of research and development applications.
  Contact: Dr. Denise Burton, Federal Designated Officer, Portfolio Manager, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (122P), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20480; telephone: (202) 254-0268.

• Home Schooling and Educational Institution - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 13, 2006, to amend adjudication regulations regarding the definition of a child for purposes of establishing entitlement to additional monetary benefits for a child who is home-schooled. VA proposes to define educational institutions to include home-school programs that meet the legal requirements of the States (by complying with the compulsory attendance laws of the States) in which they are located.
  Comments Deadline: September 11, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM37.''
  
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7210.

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for July 13 and 14, 2006, in Washington, DC. The agenda for the meeting will include updates on the progress of the studies being conducted by the Institute of Medicine and the Center for Naval Analyses; an Institute of Medicine report of its Committee review of PTSD diagnosis and assessment; additional presentations related to PTSD, post-deployment health and eligibility verification; and an expanded discussion of quality of life and follow-up reporting on additional programs serving seriously injured and disabled veterans and service members.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

• Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations; Notice of Establishment - As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 3, 2006, of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations.
  The Panel will advise the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Health on a comprehensive philosophical framework to enhance VA's partnerships with medical schools and affiliated institutions. The Panel will be guided by VA's strategic planning initiative to assure equitable, harmonious, and synergistic academic affiliations. During the Panel's deliberations, those affiliations will be broadly assessed in light of changes in medical education, research priorities, and the health care needs of veterans.
  The Panel is expected to complete its work within 18 months after its first meeting..

[June 2006]

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

• Accrued Benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on June 29, 2006, to amend adjudication regulations relating to accrued benefits.
  Comments Deadline: August 28, 2006.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail through: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM28.''
  
  Contact: Maya Ferrandino, Consultant, Policy and Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-7211.

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

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 14, 2006, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during August 2006, in Washington, DC. The meeting will focus on evaluating Pharmacogenomics Analysis Laboratory proposals submitted by VA investigators.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Veterans' Preference - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published an interim rule with requests for comments in the Federal Register on June 9, 2006, to implement statutory changes to veterans' preference contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006. These changes expand the definition of a veteran and clarify veterans' preference eligibility for individuals discharged or released from active duty. The intended effect of these changes is to provide conformity between veterans' preference laws and Office of Personnel Management regulations.
  Effective date: June 9, 2006.
  Comments Deadline: August 8, 2006.
  Address: Send or deliver written comments to Mark Doboga, Deputy Associate Director for Talent and Capacity Policy, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 6551, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-9700. Comments may also be sent through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. All submissions received through the Portal must include the agency name and docket number or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) for this rulemaking (RIN 3206-ALOO).
  OPM Contact: Scott A. Wilander; telephone: (202) 606-0960; facsimile: (202) 606-0390; TTY: (202) 606-3134; e-mail at: linda.watson@opm.gov.

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 2, 2006, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during June 2006, in Washington, DC. The meetings will involve discussion, examination, reference to staff and consultant critiques of research protocols.
  Contact: LeRoy Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

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

• Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on June 1, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Structural Safety of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities will meet at the Export Import Bank, in Washington, DC, on June 19 and 20, 2006. The Committee will review developments in the fields of fire safety issues and structural design as they relate to seismic and other natural hazards impact on the safety of buildings; and receive appropriate briefings and presentations on current seismic, natural hazards and fire safety issues that are particularly relevant to facilities owned and leased by the Department.
  Contact: Mr. Krishna Banga, Senior Structural Engineer, Facilities Quality Service, Office of Facilities Management (181A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-9370.

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

[May 2006]

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

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on May 22, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a meeting for June 5, 2006, in San Diego, California. The Commission is conducting the fifth of eight fact-finding site visits throughout the United States. The San Diego area was selected based upon criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members and National guard and Reserves, and the location of VA and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities that are particularly involved in the transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities; examine the processes in place which assist disabled veterans, service members, and survivors in their efforts to obtain benefits; and to present these individuals and the general public with an opportunity to learn about the work of the Commission in face-to-face forums.
  Website: http://www.vetscommission.org/
  Contact: Ray Wilburn, Executive Director, Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20004; e-mail: veterans@vetscommission.intranets.com.

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

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

• Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 18, 2006, that the Health Services Research and Development Service Merit Review Board will meet on August 28 through 30, in Boston, Massachusetts. The following subcommittees will convene:
  • Implementation and Management Research Science
  • Chronic Disease Management & Long Term Aging
  • General Health Services Research
  • Special Populations
  • Nursing Research Initiative
  • Equity/Women's Health review group
  T he purpose of Board is to review research and development applications concerned with the measurement and evaluation of health care services, the testing of new methods of health care delivery and management, and nursing research. Applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
  Contact: Scientific Merit Review Program Manager (124R), Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1722 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0207.

• Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on May 15, 2006, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will meet conduct a site visit on June 12 through 16, 2006, at the North Chicago VA Medical Center. The agenda will include briefings and updates from key leadership of the Medical Center and Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 12; from the VISN 12's Women Veterans Program Managers, VISN Seamless Transition Coordinator, and a VISN 12 official on mammography services. The Committee will receive briefings and updates on resident training at the VAMC and Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences; Chicago Regional Office operations to include women veterans activities, the Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs Office; and the National Cemetery Administration; polytrauma services at the Hines VAMC, inpatient/outpatient mental health services for women; the Evanston Vet Center, domiciliary and substance abuse programs, and the acute psychiatry unit. The Committee will also tour the Naval Hospital Great Lakes in Great Lakes, Illinois. On June 16, there will be an open forum and town hall meeting with the women veterans' community.
  Contact: Rebecca Schiller at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Women Veterans (OOW), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-6193; fax: (202) 273-7092, or e-mail: OOW@mail.va.gov.

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

[April 2006]

• Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Science Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 18, 2006, that the subcommittees of the Joint Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development and Clinical Sciences Research and Development Services Scientific Merit Review Board will meet during May and June 2006, in Washington, DC and the surrounding area. The subcommittees will review investigator-initiated research proposals submitted for merit review consideration and provide advice on research program priorities and policies.
  Contact: LeRoy G. Frey, PhD, Chief, Program Review (121F), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 254-0288.

• Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 18, 2006, that the Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee will meet on May 3 and 6, 2006, in Sparks, Nevada. The agenda will include a variety of activities and presentations relative to the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities.
  Contact: Laura Balun, Designated Federal Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8952.

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

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

• Board of Veterans' Appeals: Rules of Practice: Public Availability of Board Decisions - Department of Veterans Affairs published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 10, 2006, amending the Rules of Practice of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) relating to public availability of Board decisions, to set forth the current methods for archiving and retrieving Board decisions for public use. Due to advances in technology, Board decisions issued on or after January 1, 1992, are currently available in redacted form for public inspection and copying on Web sites that are accessible through the Internet. This is an improvement from the past practice of archiving Board decisions in microfiche form with an accompanying index to facilitate public access to the decisions.
  Web Site: http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva.html Effective Date: April 10, 2006.
  Contact: Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

• Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on April 6, 2006, that the Clinical Science Research and Development Service Cooperative Studies Scientific Merit Review Board scheduled a meeting in Rockville, Maryland, for May 2, 2006. The meeting will feature discussion of qualifications of personnel conducting the studies, staff and consultant critiques of research proposals and similar documents, and the medical records of patients who are study subjects, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
  Contact: Dr. Grant Huang, Deputy Director, Cooperative Studies Program (125), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-8539.

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

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

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

[March 2006]

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

• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register on March 29, 2006, that the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission scheduled a town hall meeting for April 11, 2006, at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, 1801 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The meeting is open to the public. The Commission is conducting eight fact-finding site visits throughout the United States. The Chicago area was selected based upon criteria that included the concentration of veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard members, and reservist, and the co-location of Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities with particular interests in transition activities. The goal of this visit is to allow the commissioners the opportunity to tour local VA and DoD facilities, examine the processes in place which assist veterans in their efforts to obtain benefits, and to