Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0548]

Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request; Extension

AGENCY: Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 32150]]

SUMMARY: The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) is announcing an

opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain

information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of

1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal

Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including

each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow

60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice

solicits comments on requirements relating to BVA's customer

satisfaction survey.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection

of information should be received on or before August 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to

William J. Alexander, Board of Veterans' Appeals (01C), Department of

Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Please

refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0548'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Alexander at (202) 565-

4059.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44

U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of

information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being

made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, BVA

invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance of BVA's functions, including

whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy

of BVA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of

information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of

the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of

the collection of information on respondents, including through the use

of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of

information technology.

Title: Generic Clearance for the Board of Veterans' Appeals

Customer Satisfaction Survey.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0548.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Executive Order 12862, Setting Customer Service

Standards, requires Federal agencies and departments to identify and

survey its customers to determine the kind and quality of services they

want and their level of satisfaction with existing service. The BVA

uses the customer satisfaction survey to evaluate customer services as

well as customer expectations and desires. The results of this

information collection lead to improvements in the quality of BVA

service delivery by helping to shape the direction and focus of

specific services.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 400 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 6 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,000.

The BVA anticipates the survey will identify those aspects of

service that are most important to benefit claims appellants. The areas

of concern to the BVA and its customers may change over time, and it is

important to have the ability to evaluate customer concerns quickly.

The OMB will be requested to grant generic clearance approval for a 3-

year period to conduct a customer satisfaction survey. Participation in

the survey will be voluntary and the generic clearance will not be used

to collect information required to obtain or maintain eligibility for a

VA program or benefit. In order to maximize the voluntary response

rates, the information collection will be designed to make

participation convenient, simple, and free of unnecessary barriers.

Baseline data obtained through these information collections will be

used to improve customer service standards. The BVA will consult with

OMB regarding any changes to the information collection during this

approval period.

Dated: June 3, 1997.

By direction of the Secretary.

Donald L. Neilson,

Director, Information Management Service.

[FR Doc. 97-15351 Filed 6-11-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-P