(a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 7303, VA is authorized to carry out a program of medical research in connection with the provisions of medical care and treatment to Veterans.

(b) The Office of Research Oversight (ORO) serves as the primary Veterans Health Administration (VHA) office that advises the Under Secretary for Health on all compliance matters related to—

(1) Human subject protections;

(2) Laboratory animal welfare;

(3) Research safety;

(4) Research laboratory security;

(5) Research information security;

(6) Research misconduct; and

(7) Other research improprieties.