Office of Research Oversight (ORO)

ORO is responsible for oversight of compliance with VA and other Federal requirements for the conduct of research in VA.  Created by statute in 2003, ORO’s jurisdiction includes the protection of human research subjects, laboratory animal welfare, research safety, research laboratory security, research information protection, research misconduct, and governmentwide debarment for research impropriety.  The ORO Chief Officer has the statutory authority to halt research found to pose imminent risks to participants.  ORO staff are  located in VHA Central Office in Washington and in 5 Regional Offices.   ORO conducts routine and for cause reviews of VHA research programs to assess compliance with policies and procedures.  ORO’s duties also include investigating complaints about VA research studies.

How to File a Complaint About VA Research

Complaints related to VA research can often be resolved by contacting the VA Medical Center conducting the research.

When direct contact with the Medical Center is not desired, complaints related to the protection of human research subjects may be directed to the Office of Research Oversight (ORO) by contacting the appropriate ORO Regional Office.  Complaints related to  research information protection, research safety and security, or laboratory animal welfare should be directed to ORO Central  Office by telephone (202-632-7620) or through eMail-ORO (click here).

Specific allegations related to fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism (“Research Misconduct”) should be presented to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) at the VA Medical Center conducting the research. When direct contact with the Medical Center is not desired, research misconduct complaints may be directed to ORO Central Office at 202-632-7688.

ORO does its best to honor the confidentiality of persons who file complaints about VA research.  However, persons who do not wish to identify themselves and would rather remain ANONYMOUS may call ORO’s toll-free COMPLAINT LINE at 1-877-343-6562.

Please provide as much information as possible when calling the Complaint Line.  ORO may not be able to follow-up effectively without sufficient information.

Complaints in the following areas should be directed to the appropriate office listed below:
• Medical Treatment  – VHA Medical Inspector Hotline (1 800 634-4782)
• Fiscal Waste/Fraud/Abuse – VA Inspector General (1 800 488-8244)
• Billing/Payment – VHA Compliance & Business Integrity (866-842-4357)
• VA Benefits – Veterans Benefits Administration (1-800 827-1000; 1-800-4833 TDD).