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Military sexual trauma and disability compensation

If you experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and it caused or worsened a health condition, you may be eligible for disability compensation. Find out how to file a disability claim. And learn how we can support you during the claims process.

File for disability compensation online
Get MST-related care
When to file a disability claim related to MST

Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. Veterans of all genders and from all types of backgrounds have experienced MST.

If you have a mental or physical health condition that’s related to MST, we encourage you to file a claim for disability compensation.

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it, we encourage you to request a decision review. We’ll review your claim again using a new process.

If you’re not sure what types of experiences MST includes, you can read some examples here:

Expand all +

Examples of MST
How to file a claim related to MST

If this is the first time you’re filing a claim for this condition

You can file a claim online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.

Learn more about how to file a claim

You can also contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office. Every regional office has a male coordinator and a female coordinator who can help you file an MST-related claim. They can also help you get support for other MST-related benefits and services.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it

We encourage you to request a decision review.

We’ve changed how we process claims related to MST. We’ve improved the specialized training for claim processors.

If you’d like to request a decision review, contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

Learn more about requesting a decision review

Evidence we’ll need for your claim

You can submit these types of evidence to support your claim:

Service Treatment Records (STR) or Military Personnel Records (MPR) that document MST
Defense Department (DOD) reporting forms on sexual assault or harassment
Investigative reports into MST during military service
For claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to MST

You can also submit other types of direct or indirect evidence.

Direct evidence

We accept statements or records from sources like these:

Chaplains or clergy members
Counseling, health, or military training facilities
Family members, roommates, or fellow service members
Rape crisis centers or centers for domestic violence assistance
We also accept reports like these:

Civilian police reports
Medical reports from civilian providers or caregivers who treated you at any time after the MST
Personal diaries or journals
Indirect evidence

If you don’t have direct evidence, you can submit indirect evidence of changes in your life or your behavior after the MST. The evidence doesn’t need to show a clear cause.

You can submit evidence that shows these types of changes:

Changes in work performance
Changes in eating or weight
Relationship issues, like divorce
Problems with sexual function
Substance use problems
Unexplained social or financial decisions or problems
You can submit evidence that shows symptoms like these:

Feeling anxious
Feeling depressed
Feeling disconnected from others
Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts
Uncontrollable worries
You can also submit these types of evidence:

Pregnancy test results
Requests for transfer to another military duty assignment
Tests for sexually transmitted infections
Appointments at a health or counseling facility without a specific diagnosis or health condition
Treatment for physical injuries around the time of the MST, regardless of whether they were reported as a result of the MST
How to get other types of support for MST-related benefits and services

We want to support you during the claims process. And we’ll continue to support you whether or not you file a claim.

Support for the claim exam

When you file your claim, we may ask you to have a claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam). During the exam, a provider may talk with you about how your experience affected you. They may gather details about your experience to help us make a decision on your claim.

You can request a male or female provider for a claim exam.

Learn more about claim exams

Free treatment for conditions related to MST

If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you. We provide free treatment for any mental or physical health conditions related to your experiences of MST. You don’t need documentation of the MST experiences or a VA disability rating to get care. And you may be able to get MST-related care even if you aren’t eligible for other VA services.

Every VA medical facility has a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator who can help you access care.

Find a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator

Learn more about MST-related care

Tags
All Veterans

How do you rate your experience on this page?


Good

Bad
Submit feedback
Related information
Military sexual trauma (MST)
If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you in whatever way will help you best.
How to file a VA disability claim
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation or increased disability compensation.
VA disability compensation for PTSD
Find out if you can get disability compensation or benefits if you have symptoms of PTSD.
VA mental health services
Find out how to access VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs.
VA benefits
Health care
Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
Disability
File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.
Need more help?
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000
MyVA411 main information line: 800-698-2411
Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY) TTY: 711
Back to top
Last updated: September 26, 2023

Feedback
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
Contact us
Veteran programs and services
More VA resources
Get VA updatesAn official website of the United States government.
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now

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Menu
Resources and support
Search resources and support
Military sexual trauma and disability compensation

If you experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and it caused or worsened a health condition, you may be eligible for disability compensation. Find out how to file a disability claim. And learn how we can support you during the claims process.

File for disability compensation online
Get MST-related care
When to file a disability claim related to MST

Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. Veterans of all genders and from all types of backgrounds have experienced MST.

If you have a mental or physical health condition that’s related to MST, we encourage you to file a claim for disability compensation.

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it, we encourage you to request a decision review. We’ll review your claim again using a new process.

If you’re not sure what types of experiences MST includes, you can read some examples here:

Expand all +

Examples of MST
How to file a claim related to MST

If this is the first time you’re filing a claim for this condition

You can file a claim online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.

Learn more about how to file a claim

You can also contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office. Every regional office has a male coordinator and a female coordinator who can help you file an MST-related claim. They can also help you get support for other MST-related benefits and services.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it

We encourage you to request a decision review.

We’ve changed how we process claims related to MST. We’ve improved the specialized training for claim processors.

If you’d like to request a decision review, contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

Learn more about requesting a decision review

Evidence we’ll need for your claim

You can submit these types of evidence to support your claim:

Service Treatment Records (STR) or Military Personnel Records (MPR) that document MST
Defense Department (DOD) reporting forms on sexual assault or harassment
Investigative reports into MST during military service
For claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to MST

You can also submit other types of direct or indirect evidence.

Direct evidence

We accept statements or records from sources like these:

Chaplains or clergy members
Counseling, health, or military training facilities
Family members, roommates, or fellow service members
Rape crisis centers or centers for domestic violence assistance
We also accept reports like these:

Civilian police reports
Medical reports from civilian providers or caregivers who treated you at any time after the MST
Personal diaries or journals
Indirect evidence

If you don’t have direct evidence, you can submit indirect evidence of changes in your life or your behavior after the MST. The evidence doesn’t need to show a clear cause.

You can submit evidence that shows these types of changes:

Changes in work performance
Changes in eating or weight
Relationship issues, like divorce
Problems with sexual function
Substance use problems
Unexplained social or financial decisions or problems
You can submit evidence that shows symptoms like these:

Feeling anxious
Feeling depressed
Feeling disconnected from others
Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts
Uncontrollable worries
You can also submit these types of evidence:

Pregnancy test results
Requests for transfer to another military duty assignment
Tests for sexually transmitted infections
Appointments at a health or counseling facility without a specific diagnosis or health condition
Treatment for physical injuries around the time of the MST, regardless of whether they were reported as a result of the MST
How to get other types of support for MST-related benefits and services

We want to support you during the claims process. And we’ll continue to support you whether or not you file a claim.

Support for the claim exam

When you file your claim, we may ask you to have a claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam). During the exam, a provider may talk with you about how your experience affected you. They may gather details about your experience to help us make a decision on your claim.

You can request a male or female provider for a claim exam.

Learn more about claim exams

Free treatment for conditions related to MST

If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you. We provide free treatment for any mental or physical health conditions related to your experiences of MST. You don’t need documentation of the MST experiences or a VA disability rating to get care. And you may be able to get MST-related care even if you aren’t eligible for other VA services.

Every VA medical facility has a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator who can help you access care.

Find a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator

Learn more about MST-related care

Tags
All Veterans

How do you rate your experience on this page?


Good

Bad
Submit feedback
Related information
Military sexual trauma (MST)
If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you in whatever way will help you best.
How to file a VA disability claim
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation or increased disability compensation.
VA disability compensation for PTSD
Find out if you can get disability compensation or benefits if you have symptoms of PTSD.
VA mental health services
Find out how to access VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs.
VA benefits
Health care
Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
Disability
File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.
Need more help?
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000
MyVA411 main information line: 800-698-2411
Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY) TTY: 711
Back to top
Last updated: September 26, 2023

Feedback
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
Contact us
Veteran programs and services
More VA resources
Get VA updates
Language assistance
VA logo and Seal, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
AccessibilityCivil RightsFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)HarassmentOffice of Inspector GeneralPlain languagePrivacy, policies, and legal informationVA Privacy ServiceNo FEAR Act DataUSA.govVA performance dashboardVeterans Portrait Project

Language assistance
VA logo and Seal, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
AccessibilityCivil RightsFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)HarassmentOffice of Inspector GeneralPlain languagePrivacy, policies, and legal informationVA Privacy ServiceNo FEAR Act DataUSA.govVA performance dashboardVeterans Portrait Project
An official website of the United States government.
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now

Sign in
Menu
Resources and support
Search resources and support
Military sexual trauma and disability compensation

If you experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and it caused or worsened a health condition, you may be eligible for disability compensation. Find out how to file a disability claim. And learn how we can support you during the claims process.

File for disability compensation online
Get MST-related care
When to file a disability claim related to MST

Military sexual trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. Veterans of all genders and from all types of backgrounds have experienced MST.

If you have a mental or physical health condition that’s related to MST, we encourage you to file a claim for disability compensation.

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it, we encourage you to request a decision review. We’ll review your claim again using a new process.

If you’re not sure what types of experiences MST includes, you can read some examples here:

Expand all +

Examples of MST
How to file a claim related to MST

If this is the first time you’re filing a claim for this condition

You can file a claim online, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.

Learn more about how to file a claim

You can also contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office. Every regional office has a male coordinator and a female coordinator who can help you file an MST-related claim. They can also help you get support for other MST-related benefits and services.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

If you previously filed a claim related to MST and we denied it

We encourage you to request a decision review.

We’ve changed how we process claims related to MST. We’ve improved the specialized training for claim processors.

If you’d like to request a decision review, contact a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator at your local VA regional office.

Find a Veterans Benefits Administration MST outreach coordinator

Learn more about requesting a decision review

Evidence we’ll need for your claim

You can submit these types of evidence to support your claim:

Service Treatment Records (STR) or Military Personnel Records (MPR) that document MST
Defense Department (DOD) reporting forms on sexual assault or harassment
Investigative reports into MST during military service
For claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to MST

You can also submit other types of direct or indirect evidence.

Direct evidence

We accept statements or records from sources like these:

Chaplains or clergy members
Counseling, health, or military training facilities
Family members, roommates, or fellow service members
Rape crisis centers or centers for domestic violence assistance
We also accept reports like these:

Civilian police reports
Medical reports from civilian providers or caregivers who treated you at any time after the MST
Personal diaries or journals
Indirect evidence

If you don’t have direct evidence, you can submit indirect evidence of changes in your life or your behavior after the MST. The evidence doesn’t need to show a clear cause.

You can submit evidence that shows these types of changes:

Changes in work performance
Changes in eating or weight
Relationship issues, like divorce
Problems with sexual function
Substance use problems
Unexplained social or financial decisions or problems
You can submit evidence that shows symptoms like these:

Feeling anxious
Feeling depressed
Feeling disconnected from others
Panic attacks
Suicidal thoughts
Uncontrollable worries
You can also submit these types of evidence:

Pregnancy test results
Requests for transfer to another military duty assignment
Tests for sexually transmitted infections
Appointments at a health or counseling facility without a specific diagnosis or health condition
Treatment for physical injuries around the time of the MST, regardless of whether they were reported as a result of the MST
How to get other types of support for MST-related benefits and services

We want to support you during the claims process. And we’ll continue to support you whether or not you file a claim.

Support for the claim exam

When you file your claim, we may ask you to have a claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam). During the exam, a provider may talk with you about how your experience affected you. They may gather details about your experience to help us make a decision on your claim.

You can request a male or female provider for a claim exam.

Learn more about claim exams

Free treatment for conditions related to MST

If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you. We provide free treatment for any mental or physical health conditions related to your experiences of MST. You don’t need documentation of the MST experiences or a VA disability rating to get care. And you may be able to get MST-related care even if you aren’t eligible for other VA services.

Every VA medical facility has a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator who can help you access care.

Find a Veterans Health Administration MST coordinator

Learn more about MST-related care

Tags
All Veterans

How do you rate your experience on this page?


Good

Bad
Submit feedback
Related information
Military sexual trauma (MST)
If you’re having difficulties related to MST, we’re here to support you in whatever way will help you best.
How to file a VA disability claim
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation or increased disability compensation.
VA disability compensation for PTSD
Find out if you can get disability compensation or benefits if you have symptoms of PTSD.
VA mental health services
Find out how to access VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs.
VA benefits
Health care
Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
Disability
File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.
Need more help?
VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000
MyVA411 main information line: 800-698-2411
Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY) TTY: 711
Back to top
Last updated: September 26, 2023

Feedback
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
Contact us
Veteran programs and services
More VA resources
Get VA updates
Language assistance
VA logo and Seal, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
AccessibilityCivil RightsFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)HarassmentOffice of Inspector GeneralPlain languagePrivacy, policies, and legal informationVA Privacy ServiceNo FEAR Act DataUSA.govVA performance dashboardVeterans Portrait Project