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VA’s Human Research Protection Program Given Accreditation

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) orders, performs, participates in, and funds around 100 various research programs and studies every year. These VA studies include topics ranging from treatment for mental health conditions to new types of treatments for veterans disability issues.

Like countless other government endeavors, many of these studies require strict protocols, standards, and oversight. The VA's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) is responsible for guaranteeing and maintaining elevated moral standards in the scientific community when veterans and/or veterans health information is involved. The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) recently granted the VA's HRPP its own accreditation.

The VA's Central Institutional Review Board (IRB), is one of the most vital aspects of the HRPP, and was brought on-line by the VA's Office of Research and Development in 2008. The IRB is responsible for conducting oversight on larger scientific tests taking place at VA medical centers, and can involve hundreds to thousands of veteran-participants.

The VA currently has over 100 sites pre-approved for research projects involving humans. The IRB helps to smooth out local issues between multiple sites so as to get the most accurate results from the studies. The AAHRPP's accreditation means the VA has been recognized as meeting the highest possible standards and safeguards for studies involving people. Those standards exceed what current federal law mandates.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.