The form will be used to gather necessary information from a claimant's treating physician regarding the results of medical examinations. VA will gather medical information related to the claimant that is necessary to adjudicate the claim for VA disability benefits.
The initial Information Collection Request (ICR) for the VAF 21-0960 series (71 forms) was consolidated under five Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers (2900-0749, 2900-07769, 2900-0778, 2900-0779, and 2900-0781). OMB Control Number 2900-0779, which expires March 15, 2015, currently contains VA Form 21-0960M-14, Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire.
VA proposes to remove this information collection (IC) from control number 2900-0779 and have it assigned a new individual control number. VA will retain all other ICs under OMB control number 2900-0779 until pending substantive revisions are complete. At which time, VA will request separate OMB control numbers for each IC in the VA Form 21-0960 series.
This change is necessary to provide VA with the flexibility to modify each form on an individual basis instead of limiting the changes to the original five groupings. VA needs the maximum flexibility because the content of the form is influenced by a multitude of unpredictable forces outside its control. As such, VA needs to maximize its ability to modify the forms consistent with the form contents' dynamic environment.
$2,930,750
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Crystal Rennie 202 632-7492 crystal.rennie@va.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.