| 1930 |
The Veterans Administration was created by Executive Order 5398, signed by President Herbert Hoover on July 21, 1930. At that time, there were 54 hospitals, 4.7 million living veterans, and 31,600 employees. |
| 1933 |
The Board of Veterans Appeals was established. |
| 1944 |
On June 22, President Roosevelt signed the "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944" (Public Law 346, passed unanimously by the 78th Congress), offering home loan and education benefits to veterans. |
| 1946 |
The Department of Medicine & Surgery was established, succeeded in 1989 by the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration, renamed the Veterans Health Administration in 1991. |
| 1953 |
The Department of Veterans Benefits was established, succeeded in 1989 by the Veterans Benefits Administration. |
| 1973 |
The National Cemetery System (except for Arlington National Cemetery) was transferred by the Army to VA. |
| 1988 |
Legislation to elevate VA to Cabinet status was signed by President Reagan. |
| 1989 |
On March 15, VA became the 14th Department in the President's Cabinet. |
