Veterans Benefits Administration
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | July 21, 1930 (Cabinet rank 15 March 1989) |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United States |
| Headquarters | 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, D.C., United States 38°54′3.25″N 77°2′5.37″W / 38.9009028°N 77.0348250°W |
| Employees | 27,000 (Est) |
| Annual budget | $58.4 billion (2010) |
| Agency executives |
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| Child agency |
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| Website | vba.va.gov |
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is "an organizational element of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs". The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is responsible for administering the Department’s programs that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Veterans, their dependents, and survivors. Major benefits include Veterans’ compensation, Veterans’ pension, survivors’ benefits, rehabilitation and employment assistance, education assistance, home loan guaranties, and life insurance coverage.
The mission of the Veterans Benefits Administration, in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration and the National Cemetery Administration, is to provide benefits and services to the veterans and their families in a responsive, timely and compassionate manner in recognition of their service to the Nation.
"...to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan..." - Abraham Lincoln, 2nd Inaugural Address
VBA is one of three administrations falling under the Department of Veterans Affairs' larger umbrella. Along with the Veterans Health Administration and the National Cemetery Administration, VBA is responsible for administering VA's extensive non-medical benefits. According to VA's 2010 Organizational Briefing Book, VBA is further subdivided into business lines covering specific benefits:
Compensation and Pension Programs provide direct payments to Veterans, dependents, and survivors as a result of the veteran’s service-connected disability or because of financial need.
Education Programs provide resources to Veterans, servicepersons, reservists, and certain Veterans’ dependents to help with readjustment and restore educational opportunities lost because of service to the country, to extend benefits of higher education to qualified persons who may not otherwise be able to afford it, to aid in military recruitment and the retention of highly qualified personnel, to encourage membership in the Selected Reserve, and to enhance the national workforce. Details may be found at www.gibill.va.gov.
The Insurance Programs were created to provide life insurance at a “standard” premium rate to members of the armed forces who are exposed to the extra hazards of military service. Veterans are eligible to maintain their VA life insurance following discharge. In general, a new program was created for each wartime period since World War I. There are four life insurance programs that still issue coverage as well as a program of traumatic injury coverage:
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