United States
The Hotline accepts tips or complaints that, on a select basis, result in reviews of: • VA-related criminal activity • Systemic patient safety issues • Gross mismanagement or waste of VA resources • Misconduct by senior VA officials The VA OIG investigates substantial allegations of whistleblower reprisal against employees of VA contractors, grantees, subgrantees, and personal services subcontractors. The VA OIG reports substantiated allegations of reprisal to the employer and VA for corrective action.
The Hotline does not accept complaints that are unrelated to programs and operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs nor that are addressed in another legal or administrative forum: TYPE OF COMPLAINT WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT Claim for VA disability and pension benefits, and ratings, appeals, or home loan issues Veterans Benefits Administration (1-800-827-1000) Claim for VA education benefits Veterans Benefits Administration (1-888-442-4551) Patient health care dispute Patient Advocate at your local VA medical facility Tort claim or other legal issue/case/claim Local VA Regional Counsel office (202-461-4900) VA billing issues - Compliance and Business Integrity 1-866-842-4357 Litigation matters Private counsel; applicable court Employee grievances, unfair labor practices, union matters Local union representative, Federal Labor Relations Authority VA employee whistleblower retaliation issues U.S. Office of Special Counsel (1-800-872-9855) Other VA employee whistleblower issues and concerns about VA employee VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection performance and accountability (855-429-6669) or (202-461-4119) Whistleblower disclosures not related to the VA U.S. Office of Special Counsel (1-800-872-9855) Discrimination and EEO complaints for VA employees, former VA employees, VA Office of Resolution Management (1-888-566-3982) and applicants for VA positions Discrimination and complaints related to the Uniformed Services Employment U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Personnel actions/adverse action appeals/MSPB matters U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board Disagreement with law or other political dispute Your elected legislative official
Jackson Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud Scheme Designed to Fraudulently Obtain GI Bill Funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Self-Professed Bodybuilder Sentenced to Federal Prison After Stealing Money from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Failure to Communicate and Coordinate Care for a Community Living Center Resident at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System in California
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) assessed allegations at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System in California (facility) that community living center (CLC) nursing staff failed to (i) assess a resident who was complaining of pain; (ii) properly document assessments, reassessments...
Rhode Island Woman Admits to Falsifying Military Service; False Use of Military Medals; Identity Theft; and Fraudulently Collecting More Than $250,000 In Veteran Benefits and Charitable Contributions
The Compensation Service Could Better Use Special-Focused Reviews to Improve Claims Processing
Given the importance of accurately and consistently deciding veterans’ claims for disability benefits, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) includes in its quality assurance efforts special-focused reviews that target specific topic areas, such as military sexual trauma. The Office of...
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Employee Charged with Possession of Child Pornography
Deficiencies in Life-Sustaining Treatment Processes at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) assessed an allegation at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (facility) that community living center (CLC) staff delayed life-sustaining treatment for a patient (Patient A) who experienced cardiac arrest and died. The OIG also reviewed an allegation...
Digital Divide Consults and Devices for VA Video Connect Appointments
In August 2020, the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Office of Connected Care introduced a “digital divide” consult process where patients can receive a video-capable device (iPad) after obtaining a referral and a socioeconomic assessment. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed the...
The Fugitive Felon Benefits Adjustment Process Needs Better Monitoring
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to determine whether the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) accurately adjusted compensation and pension benefit payments for fugitive felons as mandated by law. If VBA does not adjust payments, veterans who are fugitive felons will...