What is Military Sexual Trauma?

Military Sexual Trauma is sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment experienced during military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines MST as any sexual activity against a service member’s will during duty hours or off duty.

Does the VA provide disability benefits for MST?

Yes. Veterans who experience Military Sexual Trauma can file a VA disability claim. The VA accepts nontraditional evidence and supports MST-related PTSD, depression, and anxiety claims.

How does Rachelle Smith help MST survivors?

Rachelle Smith provides the VA Disability Toolkit and the Contact Your Lawmaker Toolkit to support Military Sexual Trauma survivors navigating the VA and Congress.

Can I file a VA claim for Military Sexual Trauma?

Yes. You can submit a VA claim for MST without direct documentation if you provide credible supporting evidence.

Where can I get help filing an MST claim?

Use the free VA Disability Toolkit. It helps survivors document trauma, track VA responses, and organize every detail for a stronger claim.

VA Disability Toolkit | Military Sexual Trauma Claim Support

VA Disability Claim Toolkit for MST Survivors

Navigating a VA disability claim for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) can be overwhelming and re-traumatizing. This survivor-built toolkit is designed to help you organize every detail of your claim so you can focus on your healing.

This free resource provides a structured way to document your truth, track your claim status, and gather the secondary evidence (such as personal statements and witness letters) that the VA requires for MST-related PTSD, depression, and anxiety claims.

How to Use This Toolkit:

Download the Checklist: Start by downloading the MST evidence organizer.
Gather Support: Use our templates to request "Buddy Letters" or write your own Statement in Support of Claim.
Stay Organized: Use the tracking sheet to keep a log of every VA appointment and document submission.

PS: If this helped, check out the Silenced Voices of MST podcast. You’ll probably relate to the stories that leaders would rather stay buried.