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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Affairs Department

OMB ID: [OMB Control No. 2900-New (NVVLS)]

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed [[Page 69773]]
collection of information should be received on or before February 13, 2004.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 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 for information needed to followup on the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study conducted in 1986 through 1987.

SUMMARY: Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 350121), 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, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA'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.

Titles: a. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, (all components), VA Form 1021064a.

b. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, (all components with the exception of psychological testing), VA Form 1021064b.

c. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, NonResponse Telephone Interview, VA Form 1021064c.

OMB Control Number: 2900New (NVVLS).

Type of Review: New collection.

Abstract: The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS) is a followup to the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) conducted in 1986 through 1987 to sample veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. The NVVRS found that 15.2 percent of the men and 8.5 percent of the women who had served in Vietnam were current cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The rates of PTSD for those veterans exposed to high levels of warzone stress were dramatically higher than the rates for those with low/moderate levels of warzone stress exposure. Because of the high rates of PTSD, the strong evidence for the persistence of this syndrome, and the strength of its association with warzone stress exposure, it is imperative that the VA has information about the current functioning of the participants in the original study. To address the important need for followup data and for an understanding of the current functioning of Vietnam veterans, the VA has contracted with Research Triangle Institute to conduct the NVVLS, followup study of the original cohort from the NVVRS. This followup of the NVVRS sample will be unique in the field and will enhance and supplement the original findings. The specific aims of this study are to assess:

a. Current prevalence of PTSD, with particular attention to changes in caseness from initial assessment and to variables that might be associated with such changes;

b. Current prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and their precursors and risk factors, with particular attention to their relationship to warzone stress exposure and PTSD;

c. Current prevalence of other psychiatric disorders and other postwar readjustment problems, with particular attention to their relationship to chronic disease outcomes; and

d. Healthcare utilization patterns, with particular attention to sociodemographic and other variable that moderate service use.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 4,426 hours.

a. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (all components), VA Form 1021064a3,261.

b. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, (all components with the exception of psychological testing) VA Form 1021064b1,154.

c. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, NonResponse Telephone Interview, VA Form 1021064c11.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: a. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (all components), VA Form 1021064a11.50 hours.

b. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, (all components with the exception of psychological testing) VA Form 1021064b6.75 hours.

c. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, NonResponse Telephone Interview, VA Form 1021064c20 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,605.

a. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (all components), VA Form 1021064a650.

b. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, (all components with the exception of psychological testing) VA Form 1021064b855.

c. National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, NonResponse Telephone Interview, VA Form 1021064c100.

Dated: December 8, 2003.

By direction of the Secretary.
Jacqueline Parks,
IT Specialist, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 0330873 Filed 121203; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 832001U

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Ann W. Bickoff, (202) 273-8310 or FAX (202) 2739386. These are not tollfree numbers.