President Herbert Hoover in the oval office

The establishment of the Veterans Administration came in 1930 when
Congress authorized President Hoover to "consolidate and coordinate
Government activities affecting war veterans." The three component
agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier
General Frank T. Hines, who directed the Veterans Bureau for seven
years, was named as the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job
he held until 1945.

The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to
include 152 hospitals; 800 community based outpatient clinics, and 126
nursing home care units.