Significant Federal Register Submissions of Interest to
Veterans

[March 2001]

•	Cost-of-Living Adjustments and Headstone or Marker Allowance Rate - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a notice in the Federal Register, March, 28, 2001, of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and spina bifida programs. These adjustments are based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index during the one year period ending September 30, 2000. VA is also giving notice of the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be paid for headstones or markers purchased in lieu of Government-furnished headstones or markers in Fiscal Year 2001, which began on October 1, 2000.
Effective Date: December 1, 2000.
Contact: Paul Trowbridge, Consultant, Compensation and Pension Service (212A), Veterans Benefit Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20420; telephone:  (202) 273-7218.  

•	Appeals Regulations: Title for Members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 6, 2001, to amend VA Appeals Regulations to provide that a Member of the Board of Veterans' Appeals may also be known as a ‘’veterans law judge’’.
Comments Deadline:  May 7, 2001.
Address:  Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to “RIN 2900-AK62.”
Contact:  Steven L. Keller, Senior Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20420; telephone: (202) 565-5978.

•	Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences Program – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on March 6, 2001, to amend VA's medical regulations to establish provisions regarding housing under the Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences program. These provisions are designed to ensure proper management, ensure reasonable payment rates for residents, and ensure that residents stay only for the time necessary to meet the intended goals.
Comments Deadline:  May 7, 2001.
Address:  Director, Office of Regulations Management (02D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1154, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to OGCRegulations@mail.va.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to “RIN 2900-AK01.”
Contact:  Jamie Ploppert, Program Specialist, Office of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (116D), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20420; telephone: (757)722-9961, extension 1123.

The numbers listed in this document are not toll-free.