Portal:Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.

While veterans' benefits have been provided by the federal government since the American Revolutionary War, a veteran-specific federal agency was not established until 1930, as the Veterans' Administration. In 1982, its mission was expanded to include caring for civilians and people who were not veterans in case of a national emergency. In 1989, the Veterans' Administration became a cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs. The president appoints the secretary of veterans affairs, who is also a cabinet member, to lead the agency.

As of June 2020 the VA employed 412,892 people at hundreds of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, clinics, benefits offices, and cemeteries. In fiscal year 2016 net program costs for the department were $273 billion, which includes the VBA Actuarial Cost of $106.5 billion for compensation benefits. The long-term "actuarial accrued liability" (total estimated future payments for veterans and their family members) is $2.491 trillion for compensation benefits; $59.6 billion for education benefits; and $4.6 billion for burial benefits.

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Organization

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Chief of Staff

Administrations, each headed by an undersecretary:

Veterans Health Administration (VHA): responsible for providing health care in all its forms, as well as for biomedical research (under the Office of Research and Development), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Regional Medical Centers (VAMC), and Readjustment Counseling Services (RCS) Vet Centers.
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA): responsible for initial veteran registration, eligibility determination, and five key lines of business (benefits and entitlements): Home Loan Guarantee, Insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Education (GI Bill), and Compensation & Pension
National Cemetery Administration: responsible for providing burial and memorial benefits, as well as for maintenance of VA cemeteries

Leadership Structure

https://department.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/va-functional-organizational-manual-volume-1.pdf and https://department.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/va-functional-organizational-manual-volume-2.pdf

Secretary of Veterans Affairs (SECVA)

Appointed by the President with Senate consent; responsible for executing and administering all VA laws, controlling, directing, and managing the Department.

Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs (DEPSECVA)

Second in command and Chief Operating Officer; directs policy and operations, ensuring coordination with Staff Offices under the Secretary's directives.

Chief of Staff of Veterans Affairs (COSVA)

Coordinates SECVA's policy with VA's Administrations and Staff Offices; oversees OSVA staff through the Deputy Chief of Staff to support SECVA and DEPSECVA.

Administrations and Key Officials

Administrations

Each head reports to the SECVA, providing centralized policy direction with decentralized execution.

Key Officials

General Counsel: Provides legal advice and services, acting as VA's in-house counsel.
Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals: Handles final decisions on appeals for Veterans' benefits from all three administrations.
Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO): Manages acquisition, logistics, and construction for VA.
Chief Veterans Experience Officer (CVEO): Enhances customer experience in service delivery.
Inspector General (IG): Conducts audits and investigations to promote efficiency, prevent fraud, and oversee health care quality.

Assistant Secretaries

Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection

Promotes accountability within VA, investigates misconduct, and protects whistleblowers.

Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs

Advances pro-Veteran legislation and manages VA's interactions with Congress.

Assistant Secretary for Enterprise Integration

Drives unity across VA through strategic foresight, policy, and inter-agency integration.

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness

Manages human capital, security, and preparedness, including VA's "Fourth Mission" in disaster response.

Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology

Manages IT to support VA's mission, serving as the Chief Information Officer.

Assistant Secretary for Management

Oversees resource requirements, performance measures, and financial management within VA.

Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Enhances public confidence, manages communications, and coordinates outreach.

Offices

https://department.va.gov/administrations-and-offices/

Office of the Secretary
Office of the Deputy Secretary
Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs
Office of General Counsel
Office of Management
- Office of Budget
- Office of Finance
- Office of Asset Enterprise Management
Office of Human Resources and Administration
- Operations, Security, and Preparedness
Office of Information and Technology
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
Office of Enterprise Integration
Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Office of Regulation Policy & Management
Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication
Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion
Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction
Office of Administrative Review
Board of Veterans' Appeals
Office of Inspector General

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Partnerships

Governmental Partnerships:

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): The VA partners with DOL to support veterans' transition into the civilian workforce, notably through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) and Veteran Readiness and Employment Service (VR&E).
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Together, they aim to reduce veteran homelessness through coordinated efforts like the HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) program.

Community and Non-Profit Organizations:

Veteran Community Partnerships (VCP): These are local partnerships aimed at improving access to services, fostering community-based support, and promoting community engagement for veterans.
Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network (VSPN): Aims to connect transitioning service members and their families with community resources, including employment opportunities and educational benefits.
We Honor Veterans: A collaboration with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) to ensure that veterans receive end-of-life care that acknowledges their military service.

Educational and Research Partnerships:

Academic Affiliates: The VA has partnerships with numerous universities and medical schools to provide clinical training for health professionals, enhance research, and improve healthcare delivery for veterans.
Salesforce Military: A partnership to support veterans and military service members transitioning into civilian careers.

Health and Well-being:

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP): Educates community emergency medicine clinicians on veteran-specific conditions.
Connected Warriors: Provides trauma-conscious yoga for service members, veterans, and their families to promote healing and well-being.

State and Local Government:

State Partnerships for Voter Registration: The VA has partnered with states like Michigan, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania to facilitate voter registration for veterans at VA facilities.

Technology and Innovation:

Vendor Management Office: Helps guide businesses through the process of partnering with VA to provide IT solutions that benefit veterans.

Corporate and Private Sector:

Corporate Social Responsibility Partnerships: Companies like AT&T, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and SAIC promote veteran-owned businesses and support veterans in various capacities.
Braingate and Setroc Group: For research into brain-computer interface technologies to aid veterans, particularly those with traumatic brain injuries.

Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships:

Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships: Engages with faith and community organizations to support veterans through various outreach events and resource sharing.

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