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Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

VA resources, free treatment, and claims guidance for veterans who experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service.

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify with the official source linked below. This is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

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What Is MST?

The VA defines Military Sexual Trauma (MST) as sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during military service. This includes any sexual activity where you were involved against your will, were unable to consent, or were coerced through threats or intimidation.

MST can happen to anyone — both men and women experience MST, and it can occur during peacetime or wartime, on or off base, and regardless of the perpetrator’s gender or rank. The experience is not limited to any era of service.

Free Treatment — No Exceptions

The VA provides free treatment for all physical and mental health conditions related to MST. This is one of the broadest eligibility provisions in the VA system:

  • No VA disability rating required — you do not need a service-connected rating to receive MST-related care
  • No discharge status requirement — available regardless of your character of discharge
  • No minimum length of service required
  • No requirement to have reported the incident during service
  • Available regardless of era of service

You do not even need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to receive MST-related treatment. Simply contact your local VA medical center and ask for the MST Coordinator.

Services Available

The VA offers a full range of treatment options for conditions related to MST:

Individual counseling
Group counseling
PTSD treatment programs
Substance abuse treatment
Medication management
Inpatient treatment programs

Treatment is not limited to mental health — physical health conditions resulting from MST are also covered.

MST Coordinators

Every VA medical center has a designated MST Coordinator. This person serves as your point of contact for MST-related care and can help you:

  • Navigate the VA system and connect with treatment providers
  • Understand your treatment options
  • Access specialized MST programs
  • Address barriers to care (scheduling, transportation, comfort concerns)

To find your local MST Coordinator, call your VA medical center and ask to speak with the MST Coordinator, or call the VA general number at 1-800-827-1000.

Vet Centers — Confidential Counseling

Vet Centers provide MST counseling in a setting that is separate from VA medical centers. Vet Center records are kept confidential and are not shared with the VA medical system unless you specifically authorize it.

This can be an important option for veterans who want counseling but are not comfortable receiving care in a VA hospital setting. Vet Centers are located in community settings and are designed to feel less clinical.

Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387) — available 24/7.

Filing a VA Disability Claim for MST

The VA acknowledges that MST claims are different from other disability claims. Because sexual assault and harassment are often unreported during service, the VA accepts alternative forms of evidence that would not typically be used in other claims:

Buddy statements from fellow service members
Personal journals or diaries from the time of service
Records of behavioral changes after the incident
Police reports (military or civilian)
Pregnancy tests or STI tests from the relevant time period
Changes in performance reports
Requests for transfer or duty assignment changes
Records of substance abuse beginning after the incident
Counseling records (military or civilian)
Statements from family members about behavioral changes

You do not need to have reported the incident during service to file a claim. The VA uses a lower evidentiary standard for MST claims, recognizing that many incidents go unreported.

C&P Exam Considerations for MST

If a C&P exam is required for your MST-related claim, there are special provisions:

  • You can request an examiner of a specific gender — the VA should accommodate this request
  • The exam should be conducted by a mental health professional (psychologist or psychiatrist), not a general practitioner
  • You may bring a support person to the exam
  • The examiner should be trained in trauma-informed evaluation practices

If you are not comfortable with your assigned examiner for any reason, contact the VA or the contract exam company to request a change before the exam date.

Things to Know

  • You do NOT need to have reported the incident during service to receive treatment or file a claim
  • You do NOT need a service-connected rating to get MST-related treatment — treatment is free regardless
  • Both men and women experience MST — do not let assumptions about who MST affects prevent you from seeking help
  • Treatment is available regardless of era of service — whether you served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, post-9/11, or peacetime
  • Your discharge status does not matter for MST-related treatment
  • You can receive treatment without filing a claim — treatment and claims are separate processes

Official Resources

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