Va Mst Claims

In its efforts to continuously improve its service to Veterans VA has made several recent changes to improve how MST-related claims are processed and decided.

Va mst claims. Fortunately the VA has relaxed its standards its evidence standards for claims of PTSD resulting from MST. MST-related PTSD claims fall under the personal assault category of PTSD in VA law. For claims that fall under this category of PTSD objective documentation of the actual stressor is not necessary. The VA now has a system of MST Coordinators available around the country who are available to help with claims and to review past denials of MST claims.

Overview VA uses the term military sexual trauma MST to refer to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service. The OIG looked at 12000 claims related to MST that were filed during fiscal year 2017 and found that VA had denied 5500 of those claims. To find an MST Coordinator in your area call 1-800-827-1000 or look up your State MST coordinator name and contact information here. WINNING A VA CLAIM FOR MST Your Checklist You Will Need 1.

You can also apply online at wwwebenefitsvagov. As of 2014 94 of claims connected to MST were for PTSD major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder were the second and third most common. This trauma referred to by VA as military sexual trauma MST can result in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD as well as a cascading impact on all aspects of life. Military Sexual Trauma MST.

This is to make sure they have the specialized knowledge needed to evaluate these claims properly. Example VA PTSD MST Medical Opinion Request TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION REQUESTED. A diagnosis of PTSD anxiety andor depression from your Provider filing for MST will not work. Disability compensation can be awarded for a mental health condition that is related to MST.

This can happen to both women and men. Military sexual trauma MST Military sexual trauma MST refers to sexual assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment that happened while a Veteran was in the military. For MST PTSD claims VA Raters also known as RVSRs must request a medical opinion based on MST and the only evidence of the MST stressor are behavioral changes that may be markers of the claimed trauma. Click here for more information on military sexual trauma and treatments available for resulting conditions from VA.

If you were involved in any sexual act against your will during your time in the military you may have experienced MST. Markers Used By VA To Substantiate An MST Claim Records from the following. The OIG estimated that almost half of those denied claims were not properly processed by VA specifically that VA did not properly follow its policy on handling MST cases. MST includes any sexual activity that you are involved with against your will.

When it comes to MST claims VA disability compensation is not given for MST alone. If you have a claim for PTSD based on MST also complete and submit VA Form 21-0781a Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Secondary to Personal Assault. Like any other VA disability claim you must file for the mental health condition that is related to your MST on the proper form such as filing MST-related PTSD claims.