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Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is a deeply personal and often invisible wound that affects many veterans across the country—including in Illinois. MST refers to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during a person’s military service. These traumatic experiences can have a tremendous emotional impact that follows you long after any physical scars have healed.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes the serious impact MST can have and offers disability benefits for the mental and physical health conditions that result from it. Filing a claim for MST-related conditions can feel overwhelming, and the reality is that many have their initial claims denied.
If you’re an Illinois veteran living with the effects of MST, you are not alone. You have the opportunity to seek an MST VA rating, and the attorneys of Gang & Associates can fight for you if your initial claim is denied.
What is Military Sexual Trauma?
The term military sexual trauma refers to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service. This includes a wide range of behaviors such as unwanted sexual touching, being pressured or coerced into sexual activity, sexual contact without consent, and repeated offensive remarks about one’s body or sexuality. MST can happen to anyone—regardless of gender, rank, or service branch—and it often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation, stigma, or lack of support.
Importantly, MST does not require official documentation or a report at the time of the incident for a veteran to qualify for VA care or benefits. The VA recognizes that these experiences can have long-lasting effects on both physical and mental health. Survivors of MST may develop conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances.
How the VA Evaluates MST-Related Claims
It is important to understand that for the purposes of VA disability benefits, MST is not considered a disabling condition. Instead, compensation is available for physical and emotional disabilities that occur as a result of an act of sexual violence or harassment. This trauma can lead to compensable service-connected conditions. Each survivor’s experience is unique, and the effects may appear shortly after the incident or many years later.
Every case is unique, and what you experience can be very different from other survivors. One of the challenges of these claims is that many veterans live with conditions that are difficult to diagnose and even more challenging to link directly to a service-connected event. You could be entitled to benefits following a diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, depression, or any other emotional condition stemming from a traumatic event.
What some veterans find challenging about the claims process is that there is often little to no documentation regarding the event in question. Not everyone victimized in the military reports their assault, meaning there are no reports to corroborate the claims. The VA recognizes this reality and allows alternative evidence to establish not only that the MST occurred but also that the survivor’s health issues are linked to it. This evidence may include:
· Sudden disciplinary actions
· Unexplained change in work performance
· Transfer requests
· Medical records
· Counseling records
· Pregnancy or STD testing immediately following the event
One of the most common reasons for VA disability claim denials is the lack of a nexus connection. This is the link between a person’s disability and their service. Not only are there challenges in tying a specific condition to MST, but it might also be difficult to prove the event occurred to begin with. If your claim is denied, Gang & Associates can help you pursue an appeal to secure an MST VA rating.
How to File a MST-Related Disability Claim
Filing a VA disability claim for conditions related to MST begins with identifying the condition you’re experiencing as a result of the trauma. When you begin your application, you’ll be asked to submit supporting documents. You have the option of filing your application online, through the mail, or in person at your local VA office.
One of the most important pieces is a personal statement describing the traumatic event and how it has affected your life. Veterans filing for PTSD due to MST should also complete VA Form 21-0781a, which allows you to describe the incident and any factors that support your claim. You’ll also need to submit any medical records, service records, or supporting statements that help establish the connection between your service and your condition.
In many cases, the VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate your symptoms and determine the severity of your condition. The examiner’s findings will influence your disability rating. The process can feel intimidating, but it is crucial to not only comply but also be truthful throughout the process.
VA Medical Centers and Vet Centers in Illinois
Illinois offers a comprehensive network of VA Medical Centers and Vet Centers dedicated to providing healthcare and support services to veterans. Some of the VA Medical Centers and Vet centers include:
VA Medical Centers:
· Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
· VA Illiana Health Care System
· Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
· Marion VA Medical Center
· Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Vet Centers
· Aurora Vet Center
· Chicago Vet Center
· Chicago Heights Vet Center
· Evanston Vet Center
· Orland Park Vet Center
· Peoria Vet Center
· Rockford Vet Center
· Springfield Vet Center
· Quad Cities Vet Center
These centers provide a range of services, including medical care, counseling, and support for veterans who survived MST.
Are You Seeking an MST VA Rating? Talk to Gang & Associates Right Away
If you are living with the consequences of surviving MST, you deserve justice. A successful VA disability claim could provide you with the support you need to address your physical and emotional scars. Reach out to Gang & Associates today to learn more.