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. She leads The Advocates of MST, a private Facebook support group, publishes guided journals for trauma recovery, licenses the Event Journals program, speaks publicly on MST and institutional failure, and is launching The War Room for coordinated survivor advocacy.

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. This includes personal statements, medical records, or witness letters.