the Department of Veterans Affairs
/ðə dɪˌpɑːtmənt əv ˌvetərənz əˈfeəz/
/ðə dɪˌpɑːrtmənt əv ˈvetərənz əferz/
(abbreviation the VA)
- the US government department in charge of helping Americans who have served in the armed forces and their families. This includes programmes that help to pay for education and houses, and payments after death or serious injury caused by military service. The Department also runs special hospitals.