Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki have agreed that reforming the VA disability claims system must be a top priority.

Akaka said Friday in a Washington news release that he is encouraged by the administration's commitment to add thousands of staff to process veterans' disability claims.

But the island Democrat added it appears the situation will get worse before it gets better, because it will take years and significant resources to fully train new VA claims staff.

President Barack Obama's budget proposes $125 billion for the VA in the coming fiscal year.

VA funding for Hawaii jumped from $419 million in 2009 to more than $550 million this year. Hawaii funding for the next fiscal year would remain slightly above $550 million.