Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term used by the VA to describe sexual harassment or assault during military service. MST includes any type of sexual activity in which a person is involved against their will. This can include:
Understanding that many people do not feel comfortable reporting an MST when it happens, instead of requiring direct evidence of the triggering event the VA will look for “markers” or other types of evidence that can corroborate the traumatic event. This evidence will be reviewed by trained personnel and may include things such as:
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, about half of all claims that are filed for military sexual trauma are denied. Some of the reasons for these denials include processing errors, service members failing to request an examination, discrepancies in the information provided, and failing to identify markers and secondary markers for MST.
However, while a denial can feel disheartening and overwhelming, it does not mean that this is the end of your claim. You may have legal options still available, and working with an experienced Veterans disability benefits attorney can help you evaluate these choices and determine your next steps.
At the Veterans Benefit Group of Goodman Allen Donnelly, our lawyers understand how challenging and rigorous the process can be to obtain the benefits you need. Whether you prefer to work with a male or female attorney, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost care. Our firm deals exclusively in appeals. If you need further information about pursuing the appeals process or how it works, contact our skilled legal professionals today.
If you were discharged months or even years ago, and you have a condition, illness,…
If you were exposed to Agent Orange during your service and have a resulting health…
While the C&P Exam, also known as the VA claim exam, is a medical examination,…
Embark on a journey to unveil the benefits available for Gulf War Veterans as we…
If you were diagnosed with cancer during or after your active military service, you may…
If you have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by a traumatic event…