The Structure and Function of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is comprised of three branches:

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
• National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

Each of these branches has specific functions that serve veterans in different ways. This blog will focus on the Veterans Health Administration’s role in the VA system.

What Is the Veterans Health Administration?

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest health care network in the United States and is made up of 1,380 health care facilities, 170 of which are VA medical centers, and 1,193 are outpatient sites with varying purposes.

Among these sites are VA outpatient clinics, community-based outpatient clinics, community service programs, vet centers, and domiciliary care centers. These facilities are divided based on geographic location into 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).

The Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health leads VHA, the largest agency within VA, and oversees an annual budget of roughly $68 billion. The Veterans Health Administration employs over 400,000 health care professionals and support staff among its sprawling facilities.

What Does the Veterans Health Administration Do?

The mission of the Veterans Health Administration is to “honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and wellbeing.” VHA is tasked with serving each of the over 9.1 million veterans enrolled in VA health care.

It is important to make the distinction between the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration: Veterans are treated for medical conditions in VHA facilities (or providers contracted with VHA), and the VBA is in charge of overseeing and distributing compensation for service-connected disabilities and special benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

How Does the PACT Act Affect VHA Eligibility and Services?

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 was signed into law in August 2022. The PACT Act:

• Expands VA health care eligibility to post-9/11 combat veterans.
• Creates a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure.
• Adds 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions.
• Expands presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure to include Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations where in VA will concede Agent Orange exposure.
• Strengthens federal research on toxic exposure.
• Improves VA’s resources and training for toxic-exposed veterans.
• Invests in VA claims processing, VA’s workforce, and VA health care facilities.

Facilities of the Veterans Health Administration and Their Purpose

• VHA medical centers are usually large hospital facilities located in major cities across the United States. Each medical center offers traditional hospital-based services and some offer specialty care services, such as:
  • Mental health
  • Orthopedics
  • Pharmacy
  • Radiology
  • Physical therapy
  • Audiology and speech pathology
  • Dermatology
  • Dental
  • Geriatrics
  • Neurology
  • Vision care
• Community-based outpatient clinics are facilities contracted by VA to provide veterans with common outpatient services, such as health and wellness visits, without having to visit a VA medical center.
• Community living centers, or nursing homes, are skilled nursing facilities for veterans with stable chronic conditions who need rehabilitation or require hospice care.
• VHA domiciliaries provide veterans with short-term residential medical or psychiatric treatment and vocational rehabilitation in a home-like environment.
• Vet centers offer free outreach services and readjustment counseling to all combat veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between VHA and VBA?

These branches of VA serve distinct functions:

• Veterans Health Administration: VHA provides facilities and medical services for enrolled veterans.
• Veterans Benefits Administration: VBA oversees and distributes compensation for service-connected disabilities and special benefits, such as DIC.

Can you use VA health care without a disability rating?

Yes. Veterans do not need to have a disability rating in order to be eligible for VA health care. VA health care eligibility is based on service and having an other-than-dishonorable discharge.

How do you enroll in VA health care?

First, you need to determine whether you are eligible for VA health care benefits. Next, you need to gather the necessary information in order to fill out the Application for Health Benefits.

Once you have completed these two steps, you can apply for VA health care benefits by submitting the completed form in one of four ways:

• By mail, addressed to: Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207
• In person at the nearest VA medical center or clinic
• By phone
• With the assistance of an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative