The United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Structure and Functions

Last Time, This Time, Next Time; Veterans are Ready to Stand Watch.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal agency responsible for providing a wide range of services and benefits to veterans and their families. Its mission is to fulfill the country’s commitment to those who have served by offering comprehensive care, support, and resources across multiple domains. This document presents a unified overview of both the organizational structure and the key functions of the VA. Any duplicative information from the original source documents has been preserved and is referenced accordingly.

Organizational Structure of the VA

Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary is the top-level office within the VA, led by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Appointed by the President, the Secretary serves as the principal advisor on veterans' matters, sets strategic goals, formulates policies, and oversees departmental operations.

Deputy Secretary

The Deputy Secretary assists in the administration and management of the VA. Working closely with the Secretary, they help implement policies and represent the department in various forums.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest component of the VA and is responsible for delivering healthcare services to eligible veterans. It operates over 1,200 healthcare facilities, including medical centers, clinics, nursing homes, and counseling centers. The VHA is organized into 18 regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) that oversee care in specific geographic areas.

Healthcare services provided include:

• Primary and specialized care (e.g., cardiology, oncology, orthopedics)

• Mental health services

• Rehabilitation and long-term care

• Emergency response and disaster relief (see “Functions” section)

• Medical research and education programs (see “Functions” section)

Note: VHA's healthcare services are elaborated in both structure and function documents. For functional detail, refer to the “Healthcare Services” section under Functions.

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

The VBA is responsible for administering benefits such as:

• Disability compensation

• Pension programs

• Education assistance (e.g., GI Bill)

• Vocational rehabilitation and employment services

• Home loan guarantees

• Life insurance

• Survivor benefits

It operates regional offices across the country that provide eligibility assessments, claims processing, and counseling.

Note: All VBA programs are detailed again under “Benefits Administration,” “Vocational Rehabilitation,” and “Insurance Programs” in the Functions section.

National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

The NCA manages over 150 national cemeteries in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It ensures the dignified burial of veterans and provides:

• Burial services for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents

• Grave markers and headstones

• Memorial services

Note: This is duplicated under “Burial and Memorial Services” in the Functions section, with consistent language preserved.

Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)

The BVA is an administrative tribunal that reviews appeals from VBA benefit decisions. It:

• Reviews appeals through judicial panels

• Allows veterans to present new evidence

• Issues legally binding decisions

Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

The OIG conducts audits, investigations, and evaluations to:

• Promote efficiency and integrity

• Identify fraud, waste, and abuse

• Make operational recommendations

Note: This appears verbatim in both structure and function documents; duplication retained for full coverage.

Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs

This office:

• Acts as the VA’s liaison with Congress

• Communicates policy and legislative priorities

• Coordinates testimonies and responses to inquiries

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Responsible for:

• Managing external communications and media relations

• Disseminating public information

• Partnering with state, local, and tribal governments

Functions of the VA

The VA performs a broad range of functions aligned with its structural components. The functions include:

Healthcare Services

Described under the VHA, these services cover:

• Primary and specialized medical care

• Mental health care

• Rehabilitation and long-term services

• Emergency and disaster response

Note: Refer also to the structural section under “VHA” for operational details.

Benefits Administration

Delivered through the VBA, including:

• Disability and pension benefits

• GI Bill and education programs

• Vocational rehabilitation

• Life and mortgage insurance

• Survivor benefits

Note: Duplicate content from “VBA” under Structure is retained and aligned.

Burial and Memorial Services

Handled by the NCA, ensuring:

• Dignified burials

• Headstones and grave markers

• Cemetery maintenance

Note: See NCA in the Structure section for expanded organizational details.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Provides:

• Career counseling

• Training and job placement

• Self-employment support

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Key services include:

• PTSD, depression, and anxiety treatment

• Suicide prevention hotline

• Community outreach and support

Research and Innovation

The VA:

• Conducts clinical research

• Collaborates with universities

• Innovates treatments and therapies

Note: Overlaps with research functions of VHA under Structure.

Advocacy and Outreach

The VA engages in:

• Partnerships with veteran organizations

• Reaching underserved populations like homeless and rural veterans

Policy Development and Implementation

The VA:

• Develops regulations and legislative proposals

• Works with Congress and other agencies

Note: See the role of the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs under Structure for coordination roles.

Collaboration and Partnerships

The VA collaborates with:

• Department of Defense (transition support)

• Community care providers

• NGOs and nonprofits

Homelessness Prevention and Support

Programs include:

• SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)

• HUD-VASH for housing support

• Emergency shelter services

Caregiver Support

Through the Caregiver Support Program:

• Training and counseling

• Respite care

• Financial assistance for caregivers

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support

VA provides:

• Dedicated MST coordinators

• Counseling and benefits access

Insurance Programs

VA offers:

• SGLI and VGLI (life insurance)

• VMLI (mortgage insurance for disabled veterans)

Note: Also detailed under “VBA” in the Structural section.

Data Collection and Analysis

The VA gathers data to:

• Improve service delivery

• Guide policy and resource allocation

• Inform research

Emergency Response and Disaster Relief

The VA mobilizes:

• Medical teams and mobile units during emergencies

• Collaborative disaster responses with federal agencies

Note: Function overlaps with “VHA” emergency care services listed in Structure.

International Veterans Support

Support for veterans overseas includes:

• Coordination with State Department

• Access to services abroad

Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance

The VA conducts:

• Audits and internal reviews

• Stakeholder feedback integration

Note: These activities also fall under the purview of the OIG, already outlined in the Structure section.

Conclusion

This paper provides a unified presentation of the organizational structure and functional scope of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. While certain content appears in both documents—particularly for VHA, VBA, NCA, OIG, and communication offices—each duplication is purposeful, reflecting the integral relationship between structure and function. Together, these components ensure that the VA fulfills its mission to honor, serve, and support America’s veterans.