Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

MST is a polite way of describing a viscous attack and event — Rape.

38 U.S.C.S. § 1720D(d) defines Sexual trauma as: “psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the [VA], resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery [touching] of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment.” “Sexual harassment” is defined as “repeated, unsolicited verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature which is threatening in character.”

The VA has been denying numerous MST claims for veterans, prior to hiring The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. https://www.attorneyforveterans.com. This is often due to the victim not reporting the MST.

You need to know there are programs available, even before you have been granted MST. MST is claimed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and MST. Hiring an attorney once the VA has denied your claim is a good start. https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/lawyer-attorney-1645439.html

Help available from the VA:
First under 38 U.S.C.S. § 1720D, and VHA Directive 2010-033 (Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Programming) (July 14, 2010), the VA provides treatment for BOTH women and men who were victims of MST.

Under this program, veterans who have been victimized, do not have to meet the length of service commitments required for VA compensation to receive VA counseling and care. Nor do you have to wait for the VA to grant your disability claim to start receiving VA treatment.

Public Law 106-117 requires the VA to make counseling, care and services mandatory rather than discretionary to veterans who have been victims of MST.

If you have been a victim of MST and have been denied by the VA please contact The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. at https://www.attorneyforveterans.com/