United States 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).

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