Elements of Your Claim Military sexual trauma [6] (MST) is sexual harassment that is threatening or physical assault of a sexual nature. Both men and women serving in the military can suffer from MST. MST is an experience, not a diagnosis. MST may cause disabling conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and sexual arousal disorder. Your claim for VA Disability Compensation (“VA benefits”) must identify at least one “disabling condition.” The VA addresses MST differently than other issues because of its severity and complexity.
To win an MST claim you will need the following:
Diagnosis You must have a diagnosis, for example PTSD, anxiety, depression and/or sexual arousal disorder from your doctor. Again, filing for “MST” won’t work because MST is the cause, not the condition.
Nexus Letter/Note A letter from your doctor or a note in your medical record saying it is “more likely than not” that your disability was caused/aggravated by an event during your military service (service-connected) is a “nexus letter or note.”
For example, a nexus letter needs to say:
"After reviewing the medical records of [Veteran's name], it is my opinion that more likely than not, her/his [insert the condition you are filing for] is a direct result of military sexual trauma s/he experienced while serving on active duty."
Evidence One way that MST claims are treated differently is the use of “alternative evidence.” In the past, evidence of sexual assault (service medical records (SMR), police reports, and rape-kits) was often "sanitized" (deleted) from military records. Or, evidence never existed in the first place because the victim did not come forward for fear of retaliation and/or reprisal. Because MST claims usually lack “traditional” evidence, a person filing for a service-connected condition, mental illness and/or a physical disability caused by MST can fill out VA Form 21-0781a [9]. The information requested through this form can help you supply the evidence you will need to substantiate your claim.
If you have recently experienced repeated harassment, assault and/or rape and are currently in the service, it is very important to request that your military records be saved and unaltered for 50 years. This is referred to, in military terms, as “retention of restricted report documentation.” This means that your military records cannot be “sanitized or destroyed.” This is important so that evidence critical to your claim will not be destroyed.
When gathering evidence, you must:
You can accomplish the first two requirements noted above by completing the alternative evidence form, VA Form 21-0781a [9].
Important: While the form allows for two incidents to be used as evidence, many experts advise against filling out a second incident. That is because the extra time needed for investigation will further delay what may become an already long claims process. If you can get police or treatment records of any kind for any incident, use that incident to complete the alternative evidence form.
Send in copies of any records that show changes or problems in your military service after the assault: a decline in performance, going to sick call, being AWOL, Article 15, civilian hospital appointments, abortion clinic records, etc. Also, send letters from people who knew you at the time or who knew you before and after your service. They should describe your behavioral changes. Each letter should be signed: “I swear this is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.”
Global Assessment of Function (GAF) scores can be assigned by your mental health providor at each appointment you have. Attach your GAF score to VA Form 21-526 [7] or send it in with your VA file number (usually your social security number) by certified mail, return receipt requested. To get a GAF score, you may need to specifically ask for one.
To win an MST claim you will need the following:
- Completed VA Form 21-526 [7]
- Diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, or depression from your healthcare provider.
- Nexus Letter (see definition of “nexus” below) signed by your doctor.
- Evidence
Diagnosis You must have a diagnosis, for example PTSD, anxiety, depression and/or sexual arousal disorder from your doctor. Again, filing for “MST” won’t work because MST is the cause, not the condition.
Nexus Letter/Note A letter from your doctor or a note in your medical record saying it is “more likely than not” that your disability was caused/aggravated by an event during your military service (service-connected) is a “nexus letter or note.”
For example, a nexus letter needs to say:
"After reviewing the medical records of [Veteran's name], it is my opinion that more likely than not, her/his [insert the condition you are filing for] is a direct result of military sexual trauma s/he experienced while serving on active duty."
Evidence One way that MST claims are treated differently is the use of “alternative evidence.” In the past, evidence of sexual assault (service medical records (SMR), police reports, and rape-kits) was often "sanitized" (deleted) from military records. Or, evidence never existed in the first place because the victim did not come forward for fear of retaliation and/or reprisal. Because MST claims usually lack “traditional” evidence, a person filing for a service-connected condition, mental illness and/or a physical disability caused by MST can fill out VA Form 21-0781a [9]. The information requested through this form can help you supply the evidence you will need to substantiate your claim.
If you have recently experienced repeated harassment, assault and/or rape and are currently in the service, it is very important to request that your military records be saved and unaltered for 50 years. This is referred to, in military terms, as “retention of restricted report documentation.” This means that your military records cannot be “sanitized or destroyed.” This is important so that evidence critical to your claim will not be destroyed.
When gathering evidence, you must:
- establish the event (sexual harassment and/or personal assault),
- prove that the event caused (or aggravated) your condition, and
- prove that you still suffer from the condition.
You can accomplish the first two requirements noted above by completing the alternative evidence form, VA Form 21-0781a [9].
Important: While the form allows for two incidents to be used as evidence, many experts advise against filling out a second incident. That is because the extra time needed for investigation will further delay what may become an already long claims process. If you can get police or treatment records of any kind for any incident, use that incident to complete the alternative evidence form.
Send in copies of any records that show changes or problems in your military service after the assault: a decline in performance, going to sick call, being AWOL, Article 15, civilian hospital appointments, abortion clinic records, etc. Also, send letters from people who knew you at the time or who knew you before and after your service. They should describe your behavioral changes. Each letter should be signed: “I swear this is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.”
Global Assessment of Function (GAF) scores can be assigned by your mental health providor at each appointment you have. Attach your GAF score to VA Form 21-526 [7] or send it in with your VA file number (usually your social security number) by certified mail, return receipt requested. To get a GAF score, you may need to specifically ask for one.
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