Department of Veterans Affairs

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Larger version Established: October 25, 1988 Activated: March 15, 1989 Secretary: Anthony J. Principi Deputy Secretary: Leo S. Mackay, Jr. Budget: $59.6 billion (2003) Employees: 224,724 (2003)

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for administering programs of veterans benefits for veterans, their families, and survivors. It was formerly called the Veterans Administration or VA (created in 1930). It is the federal government's second largest department. With a budget of more than $51 billion, VA employs approximately 219,000 people at hundreds of VA medical centers, clinics, benefits offices, and national cemeteries throughout the country.

On October 25, 1988, President Reagan signed legislation creating a new federal Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs to replace the Veterans Administration effective March 15, 1989.

It is administered by the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Operating Functions

• Compensation and Pension
• Education and Training - GI Bill
• Medical Care - VA Hospitals
• Research
• Home Loan Assistance
• Insurance
• National Cemeteries

Related Legislation

• 1944 - Mustering-out Payment Act PL 78-225
• 1944 - Servicemen's Readjustment Act PL 78-346
• 1944 - Veterans' Preference Act PL 78-359
• 1952 - Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act PL 82-550
• 1988 - Department of Veterans' Affairs Act PL 100-527

External Links

• United States Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page

Referenced By