Tennessee Man Pleads in Hacking US Supreme Court, AmeriCorps, and VA Health System

The VA OIG is committed to holding individuals responsible for their misconduct. A Tennessee man used stolen login credentials of a US Marine Corps veteran to access the veteran’s private health information, including prescribed medications and other intimate data.

Tennessee Man Pleads in Hacking US Supreme Court, AmeriCorps, and VA Health System

January 16, 2026

The VA OIG is committed to holding individuals responsible for their misconduct. A Tennessee man used stolen login credentials of a US Marine Corps veteran to access the veteran’s private health information, including prescribed medications and other intimate data.

Click to Read the Investigative Update

Review of Leaders’ Actions Affecting Clinical Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in New York

Hotline Inspection Results: The VA OIG initiated this healthcare inspection to assess allegations regarding reduced availability of clinical services, poor communication from leaders, and staff resignations. We substantiated reductions in clinical services, including the closure of the neurosurgery program and lapses in infectious disease and endocrinology service contracts.

Review of Leaders’ Actions Affecting Clinical Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in New York

January 15, 2026

Hotline Inspection Results: The VA OIG initiated this healthcare inspection to assess allegations regarding reduced availability of clinical services, poor communication from leaders, and staff resignations. We substantiated reductions in clinical services, including the closure of the neurosurgery program and lapses in infectious disease and endocrinology service contracts.

Click to Read the Report

Review of VHA’s Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

The VA OIG works to maintain transparency of its oversight work by disclosing identified risks to veterans, the public, VA, and Congress. In October 2025, the VA OIG initiated a national review of VHA’s use of generative artificial intelligence. Given the critical nature of the issue, the VA OIG is broadly sharing this preliminary result advisory memorandum so that VHA leaders are aware of this risk to patient safety.

Stethoscope Graphic, Office of Healthcare Inspections

Review of VHA’s Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

January 15, 2026

The VA OIG works to maintain transparency of its oversight work by disclosing identified risks to veterans, the public, VA, and Congress. In October 2025, the VA OIG initiated a national review of VHA’s use of generative artificial intelligence. Given the critical nature of the issue, the VA OIG is broadly sharing this preliminary result advisory memorandum so that VHA leaders are aware of this risk to patient safety.

Click to Read the Memorandum

National Review of Mental Health Integration and Suicide Risk Identification in Audiology Clinic Settings

The VA OIG strives to issue recommendations that help VA deliver high-quality health care. We conducted a national review of VHA’s suicide risk and intervention training, suicide risk screening practices, and implementation of progressive tinnitus management in audiology. The review found that leaders did not identify audiologists as clinical staff, leading to incorrect suicide risk and intervention training assignments.

National Review of Mental Health Integration and Suicide Risk Identification in Audiology Clinic Settings

January 13, 2026

The VA OIG strives to issue recommendations that help VA deliver high-quality health care. We conducted a national review of VHA’s suicide risk and intervention training, suicide risk screening practices, and implementation of progressive tinnitus management in audiology. The review found that leaders did not identify audiologists as clinical staff, leading to incorrect suicide risk and intervention training assignments.

Click to Read the Report

Supplemental Review of VHA Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentive Service Obligations

The VA OIG is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity. We conducted a supplemental review of service obligations for VHA’s recruitment, relocation, and retention and found that some VA employees breached their required service obligations. During fiscal years 2020–2023, VA did not initiate debt notices to at least 1,100 employees, resulting in about $17.5 million paid for breached service obligations.

Supplemental Review of VHA Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentive Service Obligations

January 13, 2026

The VA OIG is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity. We conducted a supplemental review of service obligations for VHA’s recruitment, relocation, and retention and found that some VA employees breached their required service obligations. During fiscal years 2020–2023, VA did not initiate debt notices to at least 1,100 employees, resulting in about $17.5 million paid for breached service obligations.

Click to Read the Report