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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2900-AK87</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200110</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>2900</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Veterans Affairs</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>VA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Claims Based on Exposure to Ionizing Radiation</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations governing the establishment of service connection for polycythemia vera due to radiation exposure in service.  The amendment clarifies that although VA does not consider polycythemia vera to be a "radiogenic disease" under the regulations, a veteran is not precluded from claiming service connection for this condition on a direct-incurrence basis due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.  VA historically treated the list of radiogenic diseases in 38 CFR 3.311 as an exclusive list of generally denied service connection for any disease not on the list.  However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Combee v. Brown, 34 F.3d 1039 (Fed. Cir. 1994), held that Public Law 98-542 did not authorize VA to establish entitlement to direct service connection under section 3.311.  VA is showing polycythemia vera may be induced by exposure to ionizing radiation. VA will obtain dose estimates, forward the claim for review by the Under Secretary for Benefits, and request an advisory medical opinion from the Under Secretary for Health under the provisions of section 3.311.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>First Time Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Final Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>38 CFR 3.311(b)</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>PL 98-542</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Action</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/00/2001</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>No</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>NA</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Not Collected</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Beth</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>McCoy</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Consultant, Regulations Staff, Compensation and Pension Service (211A)</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2900</CODE>
                    <NAME>Department of Veterans Affairs</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>VA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 273-7211</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>capbmcco@vba.va.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Veterans Benefit Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20420</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
        <PROCUREMENT>Not Procurement Related</PROCUREMENT>
    </RIN_INFO>
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