Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs, Department of

Veterans Affairs, Department of, est 1944, upon division of the Department of Pensions and National Health. Made solely responsible for administering pensions and benefits for Canada's servicemen and women, it first had to develop a rehabilitation and re-establishment program for those returning from WWII. Legislation was enacted during the war to deal with hospital treatment, education, insurance, civil-service job preference, welfare, allowances and loans, pensions and land settlement. Although some programs have lapsed, the department's activities have increased owing to the advancing age of veterans. DVA continues to manage special programs providing aging veterans and their dependants with medical care and financial assistance. Pensions and allowances are administered by 3 associated agencies: Canadian Pension Commission, War Veterans Appeal Board, and Bureau of Pensions Advocates.