This first-ever opportunity would permit VA and DoD to see the same universe of active duty, separated, retired and reserve members to better plan and deliver appropriate benefits and services.
The announcement is one of several coming from collaborative efforts being coordinated by Dr. Leo S. Mackay, Jr., Deputy Secretary of VA and Dr. David S.C. Chu,
Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) as co-chairs of the VA/DoD Joint Executive Council (JEC).
VA's enterprise architecture (EA), a framework for linking needed information from across an organization or "enterprise," identified the registration and eligibility verification activities as good candidates for consolidation and integration and is one of the key initiatives of President Bush's Management Agenda aimed at making government more efficient and effective.
VA currently uses eight unique processes and associated systems to register veterans and determine their eligibility and entitlement for health care, education, burial and many other benefits. These processes also maintain numerous and distinct connections between VA and DoD.
By creating a single, reliable, data source and a single point of integration between VA and DoD, VA can provide veterans with faster, more consistent and more efficient health care, claims processing and memorial benefits.
VA will develop a registration and eligibility process that consolidates the eight separate processes now in use. A key element of this approach is creating a link with the DoD’s Defense Manpower and Data Center and the DEERS system to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of veteran information between VA and DoD.
The JEC meets quarterly to identify and initiate effective partnership opportunities between VA and DoD that will enhance the delivery of benefits and services to all military members, retirees, and veterans.
