---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 7808"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "7808"
heading: "Service to be independent unit"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/7808"
units:
  - "Part V — Boards, Administrations, and Services"
  - "Chapter 78 — Veterans’ Canteen Service"
---

# §7808. Service to be independent unit


It is the purpose of this chapter that, under control and supervision of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), the Service shall function as an independent unit in the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and shall have exclusive control over all its activities including sales, procurement and supply, finance, including disbursements, and personnel management, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1250, § 4208; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(90), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1312; renumbered § 7808 and amended Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, § 402(a), (b)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(3), (4), (b)(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404, 405.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 4208 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”.

1982—Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “provided in this chapter” for “herein provided”.