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

External Links

United States Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page (http://www.va.gov/)