Welfare Info

Military Sexual Trauma

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides free care for conditions resulting from experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred in the military. Both physical and mental health treatment (including medi...

What is Military Sexual Trauma?

VA provides free care for conditions resulting from experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred in the military. Both physical and mental health treatment (including medications) related to these experiences are provided free of charge to male and female Veterans.

Program Requirements

Special eligibility rules apply. Veterans may be able to receive this benefit even if you are not eligible for other VA services. There is no length of service, income, or other standard eligibility requirements. Veterans do not need to be service-connected or have been given a specific diagnosis (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]).

Incidents do not need to have been reported at the time they occurred, and Veterans do not need any documentation that the incidents occurred. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) may have happened on or off base and while a Veteran was on or off duty. The perpetrator's identity (e.g., Servicemember or civilian) and relationship between the perpetrator and the victim are not factors in eligibility for care.

There are no limits on length of treatment for MST-related conditions.

Application Details

What is the application process for Military Sexual Trauma?

Veterans can apply for service-connected disability for conditions resulting from military sexual trauma, but the provision of free care is not dependent upon becoming service-connected. Go to "Veterans' Compensation for Service-Connected Disabilities" for more information on how to apply.

To apply for this program, contact the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator or Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VA facility or speak to your current VA health care provider.