Responding to criticism about poor treatment of injured soldiers, the interagency task force headed by Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson released its report and recommendations for immediately improving veterans' care.

The panel found that government procedures now are unwieldy with gaps that allow service members and veterans to slip through the cracks as they move from military hospitals to the VA's vast network of health clinics.

"The federal government must be responsive and efficient in delivering our benefits and services to these heroes," Nicholson said, announcing the recommendations at the National Press Club. "They should not have to fight bureaucratic red tape for benefits earned by their courageous service."

Acknowledging that coordination between the VA and Pentagon remains unacceptably poor, the recommendations also call for expanded VA access to Pentagon records to reduce the amount of paperwork service members must file.

Case managers will be added to help guide troops and their families through the process, and all veterans receiving care in VA facilities will be tested for mild to moderate brain injury, an often unseen ailment that could emerge months after finishing service.

In addition, the task force, which includes Cabinet secretaries and officials at eight government agencies, urged the creation of a joint disability claims process handled by the Pentagon and VA to speed delivery of benefits and reduce disparities in the system.

Critics have noted that the Army consistently rates injured soldiers lower than the other armed services and VA. One congressional commission has suggested that the Army might be doing so to avoid paying higher disability benefits.

Among the other recommendations: