KDVA - Introduction and History

In 1998 Brigadier General (retired) Leslie E. Beavers was appointed as the first Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) and charged the Department with helping veterans and their families obtain all federal, state and local veterans benefits to which they are entitled. 

Commissioner Beavers began building a Department capable of significantly assisting Kentucky’s large veteran population.

“Serving those who have served the Commonwealth and our great Nation”

KDVA’s motto sums up its work:  ensuring that Kentucky’s veterans receive all the benefits and services they have earned.  Today, the Department offers free services and benefits counseling provided by a network of experienced and dedicated paid staff, provides representation before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs during formal and informal hearings, and is operating three state-of-the-art veterans nursing homes.  KDVA has opened the first two state veterans cemeteries, has a third under construction and is developing two more.  Responding to an unfilled need, in 2004 the department established a program to help homeless veterans.

Commissioner Leslie E. Beavers is the Chief Executive Officer of the Department and has the responsibility of the overall operation. 
The Commissioner, Office of Kentucky Veterans Centers (health services), cemetery services, and headquarters are located in Frankfort.  The Field Operations headquarters is co-located with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Regional Office in downtown Louisville.  There are three major, distinct operational elements in the Department: field operations, healthcare services, and cemetery services.

Our Field Operations Branch consists of 18 Field Offices strategically located throughout the state with Veterans Benefits Field Representatives (VBFR) located within each nursing home and one at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville.  In FY 2007, KDVA expanded the number of field representatives and decreased the size of some service areas.  Each of our 20 field representatives now serves approximately 18,000 veterans in seven counties.   

The Regional Administrators and VBFRs are the heart of the field operation.  These dedicated men and women, most of whom are veterans themselves, provide counseling, advice and assistance to Kentucky’s veterans.   Each VBFR and Regional Administrator receives the professional training in veterans benefits required to competently assist veterans, their families and survivors. 

The Field Operations Branch provides continuing education to staff to keep them abreast of the constantly changing rules and regulations governing benefits to members of the veterans community. The Regional Administrators have an in-depth knowledge of federal veterans’ benefits law and unprecedented access to federal benefits resources and personnel.  Their tenacity, written skill and verbal proficiency are vitally important to our effective representation of Kentucky's veterans.  KDVA’s  staff, as accredited representatives by the USDVA, can represent veterans before the USDVA in formal and informal hearings. 

VBFRs maintain regular and published office hours in each county, which they visit at least once a month.  They maintain close liaison with County Judge-Executives, Mayors, local veterans organizations, other state and local agencies, and local media who may be in contact with veterans who require assistance. Pamela Luce is the Field Operations Branch Manager.  It is not unusual for the staff to be called upon to help at night, weekends or holidays.  Help is always available.