On this page
- How is the Department of Veterans Affairs organized?
- What services does VA provide beyond the three Administrations?
- Does the Department of Veterans Affairs fall under the Department of Defense?
- Are VA employees federal employees?
- What challenges does VA work to address?
- Where can Veterans start?
- Common questions
- Sources
Key points
- VA's three major Administrations are the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration.[1]
- VHA provides health care for eligible Veterans; VA health-care eligibility depends on service, discharge and program-specific rules.[1][2]
- NCA currently lists 158 national cemeteries in 45 states and Puerto Rico, plus 35 soldiers' lots and monument sites; counts can change.[3]
- VA is a Cabinet-level federal department separate from the Department of Defense, and VA employees are federal employees.[1][4]
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal department that provides programs and services for eligible Veterans and, depending on the program, their families, survivors and service members. Its three major Administrations are the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Eligibility varies by service history, discharge and program-specific rules, so use VA.gov for the requirements that apply to you.[1][2]
How is the Department of Veterans Affairs organized?
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs leads the Department. VA's Functional Organization Manual describes three major service-line Administrations, each with a head who reports to the Secretary: VHA, VBA and NCA. VA also has staff offices and field facilities that support and deliver its programs.[1]
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
VHA operates a national health-care delivery system for eligible Veterans. Its work includes patient care, health-professions education and training, research, mental health services and other clinical programs. VA's network includes hospitals and outpatient sites; counts change. The VA manual lists 144 acute inpatient sites, 1,138 outpatient-only sites and 1,321 VA sites, with statistics current April 28, 2023.[1][2]
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
VBA administers benefits and services such as disability compensation and pension, education assistance, home-loan guaranty benefits, life insurance, Veteran readiness and employment, and some burial benefits. Each program has its own eligibility and application rules.[1][2]
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
NCA provides burial and memorial services and maintains VA national cemeteries. Its current listing says NCA maintains 158 national cemeteries in 45 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 35 soldiers' lots and monument sites. Verify the listing because operational counts can change.[3]
What services does VA provide beyond the three Administrations?
VA's work also includes programs involving housing, employment, mental health, caregiver support, memorial services and assistance for families and survivors. Those broad categories do not mean every person qualifies for every program. For health care, VA says you may be eligible based on active military, naval or air service and discharge status, with additional rules and priority groups affecting access and cost.[2]
Does the Department of Veterans Affairs fall under the Department of Defense?
No. VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) are separate federal departments with different missions. DoD manages national defense and serves active-duty service members and the military; VA administers programs for eligible Veterans, families, survivors and other groups covered by its laws. The departments can coordinate in some areas, but VA is not a branch of DoD.[1]
That distinction matters when you are comparing military health coverage, VA health care and other insurance. VA eligibility is not a simple substitute for every other kind of coverage. If you are near Medicare age, you can read our VA health care and Medicare guide and Veterans Medicare FAQ for the separate coordination rules.
Are VA employees federal employees?
Yes. VA employees are federal employees. Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a former employee with at least five years of creditable service may be able to apply for deferred monthly retirement benefit payments when they reach the applicable retirement age; eligibility and any reduction depend on the employee's circumstances. OPM has the current rules.[4]
FERS includes separate components, including Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan. If you leave federal service, those components have their own portability and withdrawal rules; do not treat five years of service as an immediate retirement date.[4]
What challenges does VA work to address?
- Improving access to timely, high-quality health care and mental health services
- Processing disability and other benefit claims consistently and transparently
- Supporting Veterans as they transition to civilian life
- Serving women Veterans, LGBTQ+ Veterans and families with appropriate programs
- Addressing housing instability, employment needs and suicide prevention
- Maintaining facilities, staffing and accountability across a large national system
These are policy and service challenges, not promises that a particular outcome is available to every applicant. VA updates programs and requirements over time, so confirm current information with the agency.
Where can Veterans start?
- Identify the program Decide whether you need health care, disability compensation, education, housing, employment, burial or another VA service.
- Check eligibility Read the official VA.gov page for that program and gather service and discharge records where needed.[2]
- Use the right application channel Follow VA's application or enrollment instructions; an accredited representative or Veterans Service Organization may also help with some claims.
- Compare other coverage separately If Medicare or TRICARE is also part of your situation, review the rules for those programs rather than assuming VA and other coverage pay for the same service.
Veterans Advantage Financial® is an independent insurance agency, not part of or endorsed by VA, DoD, Medicare, CMS, Social Security or any government agency. For Medicare questions, you can book a call or start with our veteran Medicare overview.
Common questions
What are the three main agencies in VA?
The three major VA Administrations are the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration. VA also has staff offices and field facilities.[1]
Is VA part of the Department of Defense?
No. VA and DoD are separate federal departments. DoD focuses on national defense and military operations, while VA administers programs for eligible Veterans, families, survivors and other covered groups.[1]
How many national cemeteries does VA have?
The NCA listing currently says 158 national cemeteries in 45 states and Puerto Rico, plus 35 soldiers' lots and monument sites. Counts can change, so check the official listing for the latest information.[3]
Are VA workers federal employees?
Yes. VA employees are federal employees. Under FERS, five years of creditable service may support a deferred annuity at the applicable retirement age, but it does not mean payments begin immediately after five years.[4]
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA Functional Organization Manual, Volume 1: Administrations, Version 8.1. department.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/va-functional-organizational-manual-volume-1.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for VA health care. va.gov/health-care/eligibility
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. List of all VA National Cemeteries. cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/all-national.asp
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Former Employees: FERS information. opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/former-employees
Sources checked October 11, 2026. Dollar amounts are for 2026 unless noted.
This is general education, not personal advice, and it isn’t a recommendation of any specific plan. Veterans Advantage Financial® is a licensed insurance agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, Social Security, VA, TRICARE or any government agency. Plan availability, costs and benefits vary by plan, county and year. Check your own situation with the agency or plan before making changes.
Christopher Duncan
Christopher founded Veterans Advantage Financial® and has helped people with Medicare since 2006. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and DC (NPN 8613503). His dad, Wallace, is a Vietnam-era veteran.