Generally speaking, using abbreviations should be minimized as much as possible. These shortened forms can lead to confusion and misunderstanding which directly impacts accessibility. To ensure proper understanding by all readers, use the complete word or phrase, or an alternative based on context. Visit the plain language website for additional information. This includes basic abbreviations, initialisms, and acronyms.

  • Abbreviations – an abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase, used to represent the whole, as Dr. for DoctorU.S. for United Stateslb. for pound.
  • Initialisms – abbreviations that are pronounced one letter at a time. This can range from VHA to OCHCO to USA. The most common we use are Office of Information and Technology (OIT) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  • Acronyms – abbreviations that are pronounced as words. Within our normal workday, we encounter VistA or CARMA, and hundreds of other legitimate or made up ones. Avoid using them unless they are part of the global vernacular such as laser, radar, scuba, etc.

While there is not a prohibition on using the shortened form, they should be minimized as much as possible. If you cannot avoid using them, and they appear more than three times in the document, the first instance must be completely spelled out followed by the shortened form in parentheses. For webpages, each new page must have the short form redefined.

Ampersands

Use the word ‘and’ instead of the ampersand sign, ‘&’, unless it is part of a company’s official name. While they may be visually appealing to some, they actually make text harder to read. Do not use ampersands in official office names or the abbreviated forms of offices if the initialism is required – Office of Information and Technology (OIT) , Office of Organization Development and Engagement (ODE), etc.

Abbreviation List

Like many government organizations, VA uses a large number of abbreviations. Unfortunately, not all are understood by everybody. Here is a listing of commonly used abbreviations.

Abbreviation Meaning
wdt_ID Abbreviation Meaning
1 10-10 EZ VA Form 10-10 EZ Application for Health Benefits
2 1010EZ VA Form 10-10 EZ Application for Health Benefits
4 1U4N 1st letter last name + last 4 of SSN
5 2FA 2-Factor Authentication
6 3DES Triple Data Encryption Algorithm Standard
7 3GL 3rd Generation Language
8 3PAO Third Party Assessment Organization
9 3R Recruitment, Retention and Relocation Allowances
10 4WW Four Wheeled Walker
11 776 VHA CIO Administration System
12 A&A LETTER Aid & Attendance Letter
13 AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
14 AAA Area Agencies on Aging
15 AAA Authentication, Authorization and Access
16 A&A Advisory & Assistance
17 A&A Aid and Attendance
18 AAALAC American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
19 AAAPS Automatic Appraiser Assignment Processing Center
20 AaaS API as a Service
21 A&A Assessment and Accreditation
22 A&A Assessment and Authorization
23 AA Attorney-Adviser
24 AA Authorized Absence
25 AABB American Association of Blood Banks
26 AAC Austin Automation Center (3/08 See AITC)