The 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV) is the fifth in a series of comprehensivenationwide surveys designed to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan its future programsand services for veterans. The information gathered through these surveys will help VA to identify theneeds of veterans and then allocate resources in ways that will ensure these needs can be met. It also provides a snapshot profile of the veteranpopulation. Data collected through the NSV enables VA to: follow changing trends in the veteranpopulation; compare characteristics of veterans who use VA services with those of veterans who do not;study VA�s role in the delivery of all benefits that veterans receive; and update information about veteransto help the Department develop its policies.