U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The VA has an extensive history. There are two ways to learn more about the department's past: resources about the VA itself and VA publications as primary sources. Check out some featured resources below.

President Ronald Reagan signs the Department of Veterans Affairs Act in 1988 (Image source: NAID: 75856331)

One way to learn more about the VA is its past activities. Below are some selected resources.

• Directors & Under Secretaries for Memorial Affairs, 1973 to Present
  • Read the biographies of past and present Directors and Under Secretaries of NCA.
• History of VA and its Administrations
  • See featured stories, virtual exhibits, videos, and more.
• Pension Building (National Building Museum), Washington, DC
  • Explore about the history of the Pension Building, which "stands as a memorial to Civil War veterans."
• The Origin of Women Veterans Day
  • Learn about the history of this day that recognizes women who "have served in America's wars and conflicts through America's history."
• U.S. Presidents Who Were Veterans
  • View the list from General George Washington to First Lieutenant George W. Bush. The website also has the chronology of Secretaries of the VA.

Since its establishment, the VA has documented information on a variety of topics. The following are some examples as primary sources.

• The Board of Veterans' Appeals Annual Reports to Congress
  • See the number of appealed, filed, and pending cases by fiscal year from 1991 to 2023.
• Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs | U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
  • Request information about the VA.
• VA News
  • Explore the Department's publication on topical events.
• VAnguard
  • Read archived articles for VA employees from 1998 to 2011.
• Veterans' Benefit Resources | NARA
  • Obtain copies of Military Service Records or other proof of service for eligibility of benefits.
• Veterans Day Poster Gallery
  • View VA winning-designed posters by artists commemorating the holiday from 1978 to Present.

The 2018 Veterans Day Poster Competition winner (Image source: Veterans Day National Committee)