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Hagel Outlines Steps to Smooth Transition to VA

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki participate in a round-table discussion on VA claims backlog hosted by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., May 22, 2013.

DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel outlined the steps the Defense Department is taking to help expedite VA claims processing and prevent a future backlog during a round-table discussion with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, May 22, 2013. Hagel said DOD has a responsibility to ensure quality health care is carried through to when service members become veterans.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Army General Martin E. Dempsey Becomes 18th. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Start/stop Specials Slideshow U.S. Strategic CommandDisaster Relief: Oklahoma TornadoesSexual Assault - Awareness and PreventionMilitary RiderAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - 20132014 Defense Budget ProposalSequestration: Across-the-Board Budget Cuts Could Threaten National SecurityTraumatic Brain InjuryDefense IntelligenceBiosurveillanceMilitary Family SupportCybersecurityDOD Science & Technology News

Featured Photos More »

  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki participate in a round-table discussion on VA claims backlog hosted by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., May 22, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomes Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert upon her arrival at the Pentagon for defense talks, May 22, 2013.  DOD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron Hostutler
  • Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Tucker, left, and his son, Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Tucker, right, begin the process of clearing out debris from the son's home in Moore, Okla., May 22, 2013. The house was severely damaged after a devastating tornado killed dozens of people in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013.  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Nelson
  • Air Force Master Sgt. Cherry Bina recovers personal items from her own house in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013. Her house was severely damaged after a devastating tornado killed dozens of people in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Bina is assigned to the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Maintenance Group.  U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Jon Quinlan
  • An American flag flies above debris in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013. Members of the Oklahoma National Guard are working to help the city, which suffered severe damage during a tornado that struck May 20, 2013. The guardsmen are members of the 63rd Civil Support Team.   U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James
  • Members of the Oklahoma National Guard drive down Telephone Road in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013, en route to the neighborhoods devastated by a tornado. The tornado struck the city May 20, 2013.  U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mark Hyber
  • A National Guardsman cuts up downed trees in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013. The trees were brought down when a tornado that hit the city, May 20.  U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Jon Quinlan
  • Oklahoma National Guard members fly over tornado damage in Moore, Okla., May 21, 2013.
 Oklahoma National Guard photo by Maj. Geoff Legler
  • U.S. soldiers secure a landing zone for an Afghan air force Mi-17 helicopter outside of Hesarak village in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 17, 2013. The soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.  U.S. Army photo by Spc. Vang Seng Thao
  • U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Williams, right, demonstrates to Indian Army paratroopers how to use an M4 carbine before sighting in the weapon at a range during Yudh Abhyas 2013 on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 4, 2013. Williams, a platoon sergeant, is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod
Start/stop Featured Photo Gallery Slideshow ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONDUTCH MINISTERFAMILY RECOVERYPERSONAL RECOVERYSOLITARY FLAGTORNADO DAMAGETREETOP CUTTERAERIAL VIEWLANDING ZONE SECURITYCARBINE DEMO

The Pentagon Channel

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  • Video Thumbnail: Army Highlights Cost Saving Moves

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May. 22, 2013

Hagel Stresses Summer Safety in Message to Department

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged service members, civilian employees and their families to enjoy the upcoming summer, but to do so safely.Story

May. 22, 2013

Hagel: DOD, VA Work Together to Cut Claims Backlog

The Pentagon is committed to doing everything it can to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to reduce the claims backlog, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a Senate panel.Story

May. 22, 2013

DOD, VA Move Advance Seamless Medical Record Effort

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments should be able to create a seamless health records system by the end of the year, Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told reporters.Story