MST in Female Veterans: What You Need to Know

Unfortunately, military sexual trauma (MST) is quite common. Every veteran who receives healthcare from the VA is asked a series of screening questions. One of those questions is whether they ever experienced military sexual trauma. One in three female veterans say yes

Of course, Military Sexual Trauma takes many forms and has differing impacts on different service members and veterans. Here’s what you need to know about what constitutes MST, the effects survivors may suffer, and what help is available through VA disability and other VA programs. 

What is Military Sexual Trauma? 

Military Sexual Trauma broadly refers to any sexual assault or traumatic sexual harassment experienced during military service. Sexual assault includes forcible rape or other forcible sexual contact, but also other acts such as: 

• Sexual touching without consent
• Sexual touching while you are sleeping, intoxicated, or otherwise unable to consent
• Coerced sexual contact, such as by superiors

Some types of sexual harassment may also constitute MST. For example: 

• Sexual comments that you find threatening 
• Unwanted sexual advances that make you feel threatened or coerced

Can Men Experience Military Sexual Trauma? 

Yes, male service members can and do experience MST, though it is much rarer for men than women. While one in three female veterans reported experiencing Military Sexual Trauma, just one in 50 men said the same. Some experience mental and physical health problems as a result, and male survivors of Military Sexual Trauma can receive treatment services from the VA.

How Does MST Affect Women? 

Every Military Sexual Trauma survivor is different. Some struggle for a time but move past the experience on their own and don’t require treatment. Others experience longer-term issues, such as: 

• Emotional disturbances, ranging from especially strong emotions of sadness and anger to emotional “flattening”
• Problems with memory and focus
• Substance abuse issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, particularly in response to reminders of the event
• Eating disorders
• Relationship difficulties
• Physical symptoms such as chronic pain and stomach problems

Some veterans suffer with these effects for too long because they believe they should be able to overcome the negative feelings on their own or because they are hesitant to talk about what happened to them. If you experienced Military Sexual Trauma and you are struggling, know that you are not alone. Many women had similar experiences during their military service, and the VA has a whole dedicated system for helping people who went through trauma like yours. 

What happened to you is not your fault, and there is no shame in seeking help to protect your health and improve your quality of life. In fact, delaying care can be dangerous. A 2025 study revealed that both male and female veterans who experienced MST were at greater risk of suicide attempts, successful suicide and drug overdose than their fellow veterans who did not report experiencing MST. The risk of attempting suicide nearly tripled for both women and men who experienced MST.

How Can the VA Help? 

The VA provides free treatment for MST-related conditions, both mental and physical. You don’t have to qualify for VA disability to receive these healthcare services. In fact, many people who may not otherwise qualify for VA services may receive free healthcare for MST-related conditions.

These include: 

• Veterans whose discharge status disqualifies them from VA disability benefits
• Current servicemembers (may require a DoD referral)
• Former National Guard and Reserve members with federal active duty

The VA wants to make it as easy as possible for survivors to receive the help they need. You can receive services even if you did not report the incident at the time, and you do not have to provide proof of your experience. 

There are two ways to get started: 

• Contact your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak to the MST Coordinator–every VA medical center has one
• Contact a Vet Center and ask about their free MST-related counseling

If you don’t know where your nearest Vet Center or VA health facility is, you can look it up online or call 877-927-8387. You can also call the veteran’s crisis line at any time by dialing 988 and then choosing option 1, or chat online.

MST and VA Disability Benefits

Some people ask if they can receive VA disability benefits for MST. MST isn’t a medical condition in itself and has no associated VA rating schedule. However, many medical conditions, such as PTSD and other mental health disorders are service-connected if they were triggered or worsened by MST. 

Establishing a service connection can be tricky, particularly if there is no record of the triggering event and symptoms did not emerge immediately. But many people do receive VA disability benefits for MST-connected medical conditions–both mental and physical. Working with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate from the beginning can help ensure that you have assembled the type of documentation the VA will be looking for.

Your advocate will also help you gather other key supporting documents, such as: 

• A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional establishing the service connection
• Statements from people in your current life attesting to your symptoms and limitations
• Statements from anyone who can help establish the triggering event, such as a fellow servicemember who was aware of the trauma at the time

Other Resources for Survivors of MST

VA disability and free VA healthcare and counseling can provide the help you need after MST. But, they aren’t your only option. Some additional resources include: 

• The WoVeN website, which offers a variety of resources, including the Beyond MST app
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline, which you can reach by calling 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673), texting HOPE to 64673, or through online chat, Signal or WhatApp

Veterans Help Group is Here for You

Whether you are considering applying for VA disability due to MST, have already filed a claim and been denied, or believe that your VA disability rating is too low, we are here to help. It’s best to get knowledgeable guidance before you get started, but we can assist at any stage. To learn more about how we can help with your VA disability claim or appeal for MST-related conditions or any service-connected condition, call us today at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form HERE for a FREE case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a diagnosed mental health condition to get help for MST?
No. You can access free MST-related care at the VA regardless of whether you have a diagnosis. The MST Coordinator at your local VA medical center can help you figure out what kind of treatment fits your situation, whether that’s therapy, medical care, or both.

Does my discharge status affect my eligibility for MST healthcare?
Not for the free treatment services. Even veterans with a discharge status that would normally disqualify them from VA benefits can still receive free care for MST-related conditions. VA disability benefits are a separate matter and may depend on your discharge status.

What if I never reported the assault or harassment at the time it happened?
You can still get help. The VA doesn’t require a report at the time of the incident or any proof of what happened in order to provide MST-related healthcare. For a disability claim, though, having some form of supporting evidence, like a nexus letter or statements from people who noticed changes in you, makes establishing service connection easier.

Can I get VA disability benefits for MST itself?
Not directly. MST isn’t a diagnosable condition with its own rating. But conditions it caused or worsened, like PTSD, depression, or anxiety, can be service-connected and rated, which is where disability benefits come in.

Is there a time limit on seeking help or filing a claim related to MST?
No. You can seek free treatment or file a disability claim at any point, even decades after service. Delayed reporting is common with MST, and the VA and its adjudicators are aware of that pattern when reviewing claims.

Other Female Veteran Resources:

• Most Common Disabilities Among Female Vets
• Female-Specific VA Claims That Are Often Overlooked
• How Menopause Affects Female Veterans
• Female Veterans And Depression: Understanding Your Benefits