Military Sexual Trauma VA Claim Guide & Tips

[@Kevin-pu6bt]

Being a male survivor of MST, I can tell you that this was helpful. Fear of not being believed, the fear of being look down upon, beer of being mocked, the victim blaming... I've kept it quiet for a couple of years, but I have finally reported it too. My BSO was taken care of the VA route. I am in a position where I have an LOD determination report, so that helps. But as far as all the negative emotions, videos like this is what truly helps!

[@nancypatterson2215]

Thank Godness my MST VA compensation only took about 4 months from beginning to end. I have a total of 100% P&T. I also receive $2,400 in SSDI & $5,200 in PA retirement while I was injured whilst deployed. I'm extremely thankful & it allows me to concentrate & focus on my family and get all the therapy I need to get better. Mine was reported, so maybe that helps a lot & allows my claim to be approved much quicker.

[@InitialFailure]

Not bad for the most unsubstantiated claim in the 38 CFR.

[@nancypatterson2215]

@InitialFailure I just said that mine was reported & the perp had a court martial & was sentenced to Leavenworth for 4 years.

[@yomi_ash6324]

This video was so unbelievably helpful. I now feel like I can do this even though this happened over 17yrs ago

[@marthachavez6235]

Good for you! I hope you started the claim process. I am thinking about doing this. It has been over 15 yrs for me 😢 Good luck

[@yomi_ash6324]

@@marthachavez6235I hope you decided to submit your claim. I am still in the process but I feel a little hopeful that the military will finally recognize what happened

[@michaelmuhammad8372]

Support HR 6023, Veteran Restitution and Justice Act for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

[@ladylyssa5130]

This is really everything I could ever want. 🎉

[@brandonsheffield9873]

Good video. I just retired from service, and had C&P mental exam, it was the 1st time actually saying it outloud (privately), since my experience 18+ years ago. It was a very emotional exam, everything from crying to being angry at myself and the event. The Comments about my body and placement of my tattoos, and even worse (that's as much I'll offer publically). Still waiting on results. I have several mental diagnosis service related and documented in my last 2 years of service. It's been almost a year since my last therapy (Tricare ended 16 months ago), I filed for disabilities over 16 months ago within a month of retirement. It took that long to get to step 3 in claims process, now waiting for step 4. 5:44

[@recoveryrider6183]

I have been recently reminded of an incident that happened decades ago. The person was an officer and base Chaplain. I have realized that this has caused problems with interactions with men and my trust in the church. I have buried this for too long but I need to speak my truth now.

[@bettymk1]

I had an incident decades ago as well. Never told anyone, and even denied it multiple times. AND I started my claims process. So many years of depression, bad relationships, bad choices... I'm going for broke. Do it because we didn't deserve to be treated like that, no matter how long ago!

[@mikemolash2480]

Mine was not MST, it was brutal beatings in Boot Camp and in the fleet Marine Corps. I’m not sure how much evidence are going to require. I have a buddy statement and several statements from people since I’ve gotten out of attesting to my mood. I just got through, the awful experience of retelling everything again a few days ago and was diagnosed with PTSD. So I guess I have one of the pillars covered.

[@marciclark8266]

Its taken me 40 years to file. When i was in (Navy) they didnt really prepare you for the threats, intimidation and SA that can happen. I hope my claim moves quickly...

[@imveryhungry112]

From what I understand there are only two places in the whole country that work these claims. So they take a long time. So don't get discouraged if your MST claim takes a long time to get decided.

[@meganprentice8585]

I have my mst ptsd cp exam in the morning

[@bettymk1]

How did it go. I'm a little terrified.

[@justchilling_.]

Thanks for helping fellow vets.

[@Yourenotreal7]

Back in the 70s they never gave any information they just scared you and said you could move off the base and start over or take a general under honorable discharge☹️

[@kristeeoliver9385]

That’s what I got in 2008 general under honorable discharge

[@todddillon7854]

​Me too​@@kristeeoliver9385

[@ladylyssa5130]

I'm so sorry. You deserve better.

[@palapaladin7661]

Thank you Jordan. Thats answer my question

[@JamesSoho]

Jordan, MST victim from a military Dr in the hospital, when i was in there for something else and the therapist or Dr they had me seen said i didnt tell him anymore then what happened and what he had me do and what he did to me, but i give detail by detail after i told him what he did to me, i figured him being gay would know clearly, but i got a copy of his report and he did check off that i do suffer from PTSD now. He did record it, i should ask for a copy of that to? They lie and deny everything! I faxed in my claims before my yr was up and they said they never received them, but i kept the receipt with ther fax numbers! I only seen this Dr 1 time, i dont feel comfortable talking about with people i know , let alone a Dr i dont know, that seem gay to me? Mad me more uncomfortable! Thanks for all your help, im a lifetime membership!

[@kristeeoliver9385]

It took me 15 years to file because I couldn’t bring myself to write out my experience on the application. I was discharged due to what MST did to me. My claim has been sitting in the decision making process for the past 4 months and I am at my breaking point. Why does the wait feel like torture? I can’t even function right now. I’ve made calls to the Va number and they are very short with me. I can’t take this

[@robradford5]

I'm still scared it's been over 20 years 😢😭

[@luckiewestlund1879]

I’m in the same situation. It’s so hard. Hang in there. 🌻

[@ladylyssa5130]

​@@robradford5 same, 20 yrs for me.

[@88pts]

im sorry you went through what you did, but the quicker you file after service the faster your file moves - you can call the VA and add a hardship flag on your claim

[@daywalker1671]

I was grabbed from the behind and constantly being told I’m thick and all that, I was dealing with depression and anxiety then I reported her she got in trouble and got written up then I got put on medication for depression and anxiety and sleep will VA believe me if I file ?

[@jamessclar]

thank you

[@Heru13938]

Is there a statue of limitations to file ?

[@Yourenotreal7]

@@Heru13938 …no there isn’t

[@Heru13938]

@@Yourenotreal7 Thank you.

[@danf6975]

I put an MST claim in, In December. Still haven’t gotten a c&p

[@dwatkins92]

I’m March and no c&p. If you still haven’t gotten yours, then yes we got a long way to wait.

[@imveryhungry112]

I think the problem is that these are specialized claims so only certain specialists can work on these claims or do the exams. And that is why these claims take longer than other claims.

[@TeilaSimon]

Mine was put in August 2023. It's coming up on almost 1 year. I'm finally at stage 3 (preparing for notification as of May 28).

[@judyromero7794]

Praying for you

[@AmazeVictoria]

​@TeilaSimon please keep us posted

[@larry-the-weekend-explorer]

What about just general abuse and or assault. Not in a sexual nature. But good old physical assault. While over seas in Iraq where you had no where to go to report or get away from them.

[@ThomasFrancisStarr]

Yes, its covered under mst, which adds to the stigma.

[@forestmaiden]

I put in my claim and they said it has no effect on my life because I never brought it up sooner. I was treated like it was my problem and so I never talked about it. Especially when I was in in the early 90’s. My filing made me feel this way all over again. So I am not filing again even though I know the cops took a statement when the stalking was happening. Just want them to the cover my back pain if nothing else.

[@AmazeVictoria]

Please consider appealing the decision

[@forestmaiden]

@@AmazeVictoria I think I did. I know I did for the fact they said I didn’t have back issues from carrying small heavy fighter plane parts.

[@Maxesmom]

Does it have to have occurred on base? This happened to me but not on base it was during our one-day pass during AIT

[@Kevin-pu6bt]

It does NOT have to be! As long as you were in a military duty status. On pass is still in a duty status (active duty). Heck, on LEAVE is still on a military duty status (still active duty)

[@ladylyssa5130]

That is still MST.

[@CB-ul2np]

They should have this for Veterans Spouses as well. My first sergeant came after my wife. Out right told me I don't deserve a wife that pretty. She left me and fled to east coast to get away from him stalking her. Turned my life upside down and I got out due to depression and mental breakdown he caused. Wife came back after I got away from the guys control via the USAF and rank has it's privileges.

[@bettymk1]

I hope you filed for yourself for the mental anguish you have had to deal with! I'm sorry you and your wife experienced that.

[@ladylyssa5130]

Please file for PTSD for this. It took a toll on your mental health. You need to be compensated for this.

[@hocfamilytv]

What if someone was abused while in, but it was not by someone in the military?

[@vaclaimsacademy]

Yes, you can

[@hocfamilytv]

@ thank you

[@shumonibutler7662]

So I have mst and they didn’t read my whole file they didn’t even use everything that was on file lol I have the documents I get 50% for it. So how do I have them read it fully

[@repairsolutions1559]

Hello, anyone can recommend a psychiatrist or psychologist that is familiar with veterans in the Orlando, Florida area? Thanks.

[@forestmaiden]

Have you checked the VA? They usually are the best in knowing about veterans and their mental health.

[@shumonibutler7662]

So what if I have the file and evidence that says it happened and the mental health issues with it.

[@imveryhungry112]

You need to file you le claim 🎉

[@ct3pfd817]

Ya hit this on point

[@charlessmith-wk1dh]

Is PTSD and MST run concurrently? Or is two separate ratings?

[@barrykeller4875]

My MST was "bundled" into PTSD...WONDERING too if that's the norm

[@vaclaimsacademy]

All mental ratings are combined into a single rating

[@charlessmith-wk1dh]

@@vaclaimsacademy, I would love to send you my DBQ and get your opinion on it if possible.

[@60eyewatcher]

In my experience, it begins as MST then eventually turns to PTSD

[@Jigpy]

Will physical assault be choking considered mst? If it wasn't sexual at all?

[@xaviercunningham691]

In my opinion I would say more along the lines of PTSD, especially if you were afraid you were going to die and you have nightmares, panic attacks and flashbacks of the situation.

[@GoonyMclinux]

If you have ever been in a smoking area you can likely make this claim.... 🤣😬

[@shumonibutler7662]

So I have mst and they didn’t read my whole file they didn’t even use everything that was on file lol I have the documents I get 50% for it. So how do I have them read it fully

[@teeybannister]

If you’re getting 50% for it then what’s your the problem or point of them reading it?

[@safirestudio]

Speak to a representative to help you refile to see if you get a higher percentage. You have to make sure you state how it has affected your life since it happenned.

[@shumonibutler7662]

@@safirestudio so I had to ask for an increase but the state i lived in wasn’t helping me do I loved to get help. So I had to have them expedite the other claims they did cause they decided instead of fixing there mistakes they want to redo what wasn’t put in the c&p examination and what wasn’t used in my evidence

[@mango6907]

@@shumonibutler7662stay in the fight