United States Department of Veterans Affairs

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United States Department of Veterans Affairs

United States Department of Veterans Affairs federal executive department established to operate programs to benefit veterans and their families. The department was established in 1989; its predecessor was an independent agency, the Veterans Administration, which had been created in 1930. The department, which is divided into the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery System, manages veterans hospitals and clinics and oversees the eligibility and disbursement of disability pensions, veterans' educational assistance programs, vocational rehabilitation for disabled vets, and the mortgage loan guaranty program. In addition the department administers the National Cemetery System, including national cemeteries, headstones, and grants to states for developing cemeteries. After World War II, the VA provided educational benefits to more than seven million vets. Veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars received similar, but less extensive, benefits.

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"United States Department of Veterans Affairs." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Veterans Affairs, Department of

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Â© The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Veterans Affairs, Department of VA a U.S. federal agency that provides information on programs, benefits, and facilities for the U.S. veteran worldwide. Benefits to veterans of American wars date back as far as 1636. During the wars that followed, the benefits established include medical care and centers, pensions, loans for education, insurance, and burial costs. In 1930 several organizations were combined to form the Veterans Administration, which was responsible for the administration of veterans' benefits. It is now called the Department of Veterans Affairs, and it serves the veteran, veterans' dependents, veterans' organizations, the military, the general public, and veteran employees.

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"Veterans Affairs, Department of." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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"Veterans Affairs, Department of." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-VeteransAffairsDepartmntf.html

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The Oxford Guide to the United States Government | 2001 | | Â© The Oxford Guide to the United States Government 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

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John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Department of Veterans Affairs." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Department of Veterans Affairs." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (November 12, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O89-DepartmentofVeteransAffrs.html

John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Department of Veterans Affairs." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O89-DepartmentofVeteransAffrs.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The United States Department of Veterans Affairs.(Military)(Directory) Magazine article from: The Exceptional Parent; 1/1/2009
	The Mason Law Firm Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Business Wire; 6/9/2006
	Nicholson resigns as VA secretary.(United States Department of Veterans Affairs' R. James Nicholson ) Magazine article from: DAV Magazine; 9/1/2007

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