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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2900-AR87</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>202304</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>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>Headstone and Marker Eligibility Verification </RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[<!DOCTYPE html>
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<p>The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend regulations governing its headstone and marker application process. Current regulations permit certain cemetery staffs to order a headstone or marker by entering information into&nbsp;the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) electronic ordering system. The amendment would clarify that NCA will verify eligibility for a headstone or marker for all requests regardless of application method used, unless the application is made by a Federally-administered cemetery (e.g., national cemetery or military cemetery). NCA will assist if additional information (e.g., discharge documentation) is needed to establish eligibility. The clarification is necessary to ensure that the headstone and marker benefit is provided only to those who are eligible.&nbsp; Additionally, we propose to make technical changes to replace the term State veterans cemetery with grant-funded cemetery and to change the definition to more accurately reflect the current and future scope of the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (which includes State and Tribal cemeteries), and to replace the words cemetery that uses the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) electronic ordering system with cemetery that the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) authorizes to use an NCA-approved electronic ordering system.&nbsp; Certain cemeteries (e.g., Arlington National Cemetery and grant-funded cemeteries) are authorized by NCA to use approved electronic ordering systems, and there are more than one, so this change is necessary for technical accuracy. For consistency, this technical change will also be made throughout all NCA regulations. These amendments are in accordance with the President&rsquo;s priorities that improve service delivery, customer experience, and reduce administrative burdens for those accessing public benefits and services.</p>
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        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Substantive, Nonsignificant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>First Time Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>38 CFR 630</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>38 U.S.C. 2306(a)</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/00/2024</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>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Jerry</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Sowders</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Program Manager, NCA</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2900</CODE>
                    <NAME>Department of Veterans Affairs</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>VA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>314 416-6369</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>jerry.sowders@va.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>810 Vermont Avenue NW,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20420</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
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