Recognition of Organizations and Individuals To Assist Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers Navigating Programs and Services of Veterans Health Administration

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Veterans Affairs [Docket No. VA-2026-VACO-0001] AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice; request for comments and information. SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting comments and information to assist VA in implementing the requirements of section 129 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act). Section 129 of the Dole Act requires VA to establish a process to recognize organizations and individuals to assist veterans, their family members, or their caregivers in navigating Veterans Health Administration (VHA) programs and services. We invite comments concerning the proposed process outlined herein for VA to recognize organizations and individuals, including how such organizations and individuals can certify to VA that no fee or compensation will be charged to any individual for services rendered in providing assistance. DATES: Comments are due by October 15, 2026. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments through www.regulations.gov under Docket VA-2026-VACO-0001. Instructions for accessing agency documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket are available on www.regulations.gov under “FAQ.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Eickhoff, National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, Veterans Health Administration, (202) 461-5751 or VHA_Partnerships@va.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Section 129(a) of the Dole Act ( …