[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39197-39198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16676]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory
Committee on Disability Compensation
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits
[[Page 39198]]
Administration (VBA), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to
be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on
Disability Compensation (``the Committee''). In accordance with 38
U.S.C. 546, the Committee advises the Secretary on the maintenance and
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. In
providing advice to the Secretary, the Committee assembles and reviews
relevant information relating to the needs of Veterans with
disabilities; provides information relating to the nature and character
of the disabilities arising from service in the Armed Forces; provides
an ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of VA's Schedule for Rating
Disabilities; and provides ongoing advice on the most appropriate means
of responding to the needs of Veterans relating to disability
compensation in the future. In carrying out its duties, the Committee
takes into special account the needs of Veterans who have served in a
theater of combat operations. Nominations of qualified candidates are
being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee.
Authority: The Committee is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 546 and
operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.
DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no
later than 5:00 p.m. EST on August 20, 2015. Packages received after
this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle. All
nomination packages should be sent to the Advisory Committee Management
Office by email (recommended) or mail. Please see contact information
below.
Advisory Committee Management Office (00AC), Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee was established pursuant to 38
U.S.C. 546. The Committee responsibilities include:
(1) Advising the Secretary and Congress on the maintenance and
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
(2) Providing a biennial report to Congress assessing the needs of
Veterans with respect to disability compensation and outlining
recommendations, concerns, and observations on the maintenance and
periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
(3) Meeting with VA officials, Veterans Service Organizations, and
other stakeholders to assess the Department's efforts on the
maintenance and periodic readjustment of the VA Schedule for Rating
Disabilities.
Management and support services for the Committee are provided by
VBA.
Membership Criteria: VBA is requesting nominations for upcoming
vacancies on the Committee. The Committee is currently composed of 12
members. As required by statute, the members of the Committee are
appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including:
(1) Individuals with experience with the provision of disability
compensation by VA;
(2) Individuals who are leading medical and scientific experts in
relevant fields.
In accordance with Sec. 546, the Secretary determines the number,
terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee,
except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed four
years. The Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of
service.
Professional Qualifications: In addition to the criteria above, VA
seeks:
(1) Diversity in professional and personal qualifications;
(2) Experience in military service and military deployments (please
identify branch of service and rank);
(3) Current work with Veterans;
(4) Disability compensation subject matter expertise;
(5) Experience working in large and complex organizations.
Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be
typewritten (one nomination per nominator). The nomination package
should include: (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name
and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e.,
specific attributes that qualify the nominee for service in this
capacity), and a statement from the nominee indicating a willingness to
serve as a member of the Committee; (2) the nominee's contact
information, including name, mailing address, telephone numbers, and
email address; (3) the nominee's curriculum vitae, and (4) a summary of
the nominee's experience and qualifications relative to the membership
criteria and professional qualifications listed above.
Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee shall be
invited to serve a two-year term. Committee members will receive a
stipend for attending Committee meetings, including per diem and
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred.
The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of
its Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points
of view represented. Every effort is made to ensure that a broad
representation of geographic areas, gender, and racial and ethnic
minority groups, and that the disabled are given consideration for
membership. Appointment to this Committee shall be made without
discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex
(including gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, and
pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.
Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member
of the Committee and appears to have no conflict of interest that would
preclude membership. An ethics review is conducted for each selected
nominee.
Dated: July 2, 2015.
Jelessa Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-16676 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
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