The Department of Veterans Affairs has three main branches: the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. The Veterans Benefits Administration oversees benefits programs and services for veterans. The Veterans Health Administration operates hospitals and health care facilities for veterans. The National Cemetery Administration provides burial services and maintains national cemeteries.
1. Department of Veterans Affairs
Organizational Snapshot*
Board of Veterans
Affairs
Veterans Benefits Veterans Health National Cemetery
Administration Administration Administration
*This chart only includes the main VA branches. Follow this link for a
complete VA organizational Chart.
2. Veterans Benefits
Administration
Benefits Services
Compensation Beneficiary Financial
Counseling
Education & Training Career Center
Life Insurance Educational & Vocational
Counseling
Pension Independent Living
Program
Vocational Rehabilitation & Mortgage Delinquency
Employment Assistance
VetSuccess
3. Veterans Health
Administration
"To care for him who
shall have borne the
battle and for his widow
and his orphan"
The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Administration
oversees hospital and health care for eligible veterans. The
VA system centers around flagship hospitals with outlining
care centers. For VA health care location see the VA’s Health
Administration page.
4. National Cemetery
Administration
The VA’s National Cemetery Administration provides burial services to
eligible veterans and provides burial space for eligible family
members.
• The VA covers certain burial expenses. Eligible veterans can acquire
a headstone, a Presidential memorial certificate, and can be buried
in a national cemetery.
– For national cemetery requirements see the VA’s National Cemetery
eligibility page or call the VA at 800-535-1117.
– For information on potential reimbursement for a veterans funeral
costs see the VA’s Burial and Plot-Internment Allowances Fact Sheet.
– VA forms to receive a headstone, a presidential memorial certificate
are accessible on the Funeral Director Resources page. Many states
also administer veterans cemeteries.
– See the Veterans Cemeteries - States, Territories, and Tribal
Governments webpage for state, territory and tribal run cemeteries.
5. Board of Veterans Affairs
The Board of Veterans Affairs (BVA) is
the administrative section responsible
for reviewing benefit claim appeals.