The Department of Veterans Affairs may be unfamiliar to older folks. The Department of Veterans Affairs is in charge of providing veterans and their families with benefits and services. There are many different agencies within the Department of Veterans Affairs, each with its unique purpose.

Veterans Health Administration provides a unified healthcare system with 1,400 clinics. The Veterans Benefits Administration is in charge of providing financial and other support, such as compensation. Veterans can be buried or memorialized through the National Cemetery Administration.

We’ll take a closer look at each agency within the Department of Veterans Affairs and explain what they do. We hope this information helps you better understand your veteran benefits and services. Thank you for your service!

What is the Structure of the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The Department of Veterans Affairs consists of several agencies, each responsible for different programs related to veterans and their families. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs leads the Department, which contains three major administrative units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

The VHA is responsible for providing medical care to veterans through a network of 1,400 hospitals and clinics. The Under Secretary for Health is in charge of a $68 billion healthcare system that serves over 9 million enrolled Veterans. It provides comprehensive health services to both enrolled veterans and those receiving specialty care, as well as mental health services, long-term care, home health care, hospice, rehabilitation therapy, and other specialized services.

The VBA administers various benefits to help veterans with their physical or financial struggles, including compensation and pension programs, educational assistance, home loan guarantees, VA life insurance policies, vocational rehabilitation, burial benefits, and various other services.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 155 national cemeteries spread over 42 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 34 soldier’s lots and memorial sites. The agency provides gravesites, memorials, and markers to honor the service of those who served in the military. It also manages a burial allowance program as well as memorial honors ceremonies.

In addition to these major agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for administering many other important services that help our nation’s heroes and their families lead successful lives after service. These include programs ranging from employment assistance to homeless veterans’ services to health care for dependents of veterans.

Does the Department of Veterans Affairs Fall Under the DOD?

Different government departments run the VA system and the military healthcare system – the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, respectively.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to providing quality services to all of America’s veterans – both living and deceased. Through its many programs, agencies, and initiatives, it strives to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they have earned through their service in defense of our nation. 

The Department of Defense is responsible for our country’s overall management and defense. At the same time, the Department of Veterans Affairs works to provide veterans with access to medical care, disability compensation, educational assistance, home loan guaranty benefits, and more. The Department of Veterans Affairs also administers national cemeteries, memorials, and monuments that honor our nation’s fallen heroes.

Together these two departments work hard to serve our veterans meaningfully and dignifiedly. As we continue to take pride in honoring those who bravely served us all, let us remember the Department of Veterans Affairs’ commitment to serving America’s heroes.

Are VA Employees Federal Employees?

Department of Veterans Affairs employees are federal employees. If you participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System, you can start collecting monthly retirement benefits after only five years of federal service. If you leave your government job, the Social Security component of this retirement system will follow you to your new employer.

What Are the Main Issues the Department of Veterans Affairs?

• Providing veterans increased access to disability benefits
• Women and LGBTQ people who have served and continue to serve in the military should be prioritized and honored.
• A solution to the increase in VA spending.
• The department’s infrastructure and staffing need to be rebuilt.
• Decreasing the number of suicides among veterans.
• Help veterans leave the military and successfully enter civilian life.
• Preventing the privatization of veterans’ health care and benefits.
• Expanding access to mental health and substance addiction therapy for veterans.
• Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ transparency and accountability.
• Providing veterans with high-quality healthcare options.
• Increasing veterans’ access to suitable homes.
• Providing military families with resources and support for their unique needs.

How Can the VA Improve?

The Department of Veterans Affairs strives to improve the delivery of benefits and services to its beneficiaries on a continuous basis. It is committed to strengthening relationships with stakeholders by increasing access to information, engaging in meaningful dialogue with organizations that advocate on behalf of veterans, offering high-quality customer service, and expanding research opportunities through partnerships with academic institutions and private sector organizations.

Additionally, the Department is working to reduce wait times, improve access to care, and enhance its workforce through increased recruitment, training, and development of its employees. Furthermore, the Department collaborates with other government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to ensure that veterans are provided with the best services and benefits they need. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs is striving to ensure that our nation’s veterans receive the care and respect they deserve. Together, we can continue to honor those who have served and protect our freedoms by supporting Department initiatives that enhance the lives of all veterans.

By taking these steps, the Department of Veterans Affairs will become an even more reliable source for providing quality service to veterans. With dedicated employees working hard to improve programs and services for America’s heroes, we can be certain that their unique needs will be met with respect and compassion.