Edward Joseph Derwinski ( born September 15 , 1926 ) is an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs , serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15 , 1989 , to September 26 , 1992 . Edward Joseph Derwinski ( born September 15 , 1926 ) is an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs , serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15 , 1989 to September 26 , 1992 .