"The programs and benefits earned by service members could not be delivered without complete cooperation between the DOD and the VA in the area of information sharing," David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said at the Tuesday hearing. "Indeed, information sharing is critical to an effective and transparent transition process, and that is why so much attention is paid to information management and information technology in the Joint Strategic Plan."

Last June the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report calling on the VA and the DOD to their efforts to standardize health records.

In that report, the GAO acknowledged that the agencies had made some progress in sharing the health information of patients who receive care from both departments and electronically transferring laboratory work orders and results. But they still had not developed a clearly defined project management plan, something the GAO had previously called on them to do.