WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) extended the scope of their partnership today when representatives approved a joint strategic planning initiative to deliver seamless, cost-effective, quality services to veterans, service members, military retirees and their families.
VA Deputy Secretary Leo S. Mackay, Jr. and Dr. David S. C. Chu, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, approved the plan at a quarterly meeting of the VA/DoD Joint Executive Council, which they co-chair.
“This is an important step because it provides a framework with specific goals for delivering high quality services and benefits to service members and veterans. It ensures the process will continue into the future,” said Mackay.
“Our aim is to build a world-class partnership guided by principles of collaboration, stewardship and leadership,” Chu said. “This approach will help us provide the best value for our beneficiaries as well as the taxpayer. It also recognizes both our common and unique mission requirements and ensures accountability for the results.”
Among the plan’s goals are efforts to improve access to benefits, streamline application processes, eliminate duplicated requirements and smooth other business practices that complicate service members’ transition from active duty to veteran status. This will be done by ensuring service members are aware of benefits, eligibility rules and services available to them from both VA and DoD.
These benefits include healthcare, educational assistance, home loans, disability compensation, pension, insurance, burial and memorial services.
The ability to transfer data from DoD to VA quickly, easily and securely is a key element to making the transition seamless. In addition to enhancing and expanding the technical capability of DoD and VA information systems, an “Information Sharing Task Force” will be established under the VA-DoD Benefits Executive Council to develop a plan to automate the data collection process so necessary information is received in a timely and accurate manner.
VA and DoD also plan improved coordination of their business processes to better manage capital assets, leverage their combined purchasing power, develop complementary workforce plans, and find ways to enhance other key business functions.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
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