Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Related PTSD
PTSD resulting from Military Sexual Trauma is rated under the same Diagnostic Code 9411 and General Rating Formula as all other PTSD claims. However, the VA has special evidence rules for MST claims under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5). Because sexual assault and harassment are often unreported, the VA accepts behavioral markers and alternative evidence to corroborate the in-service stressor. The VA cannot simply deny an MST claim for lack of official documentation and must send it to a specialized team for a medical opinion. Both men and women can file MST claims. Only one mental health rating is allowed across all diagnoses.
VA Rating Levels
A mental health condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, and continuous medication is not required.
Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency and the ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms that are controlled by continuous medication.
Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, though generally functioning satisfactorily with normal routine behavior, self-care, and conversation. Symptoms include depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss such as forgetting names, directions, or recent events.
Reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial or stereotyped speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short-term and long-term memory, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
Deficiencies in most areas including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Symptoms include suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities, intermittently illogical or irrelevant speech, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently and effectively, impaired impulse control such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances including work settings, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
Total occupational and social impairment with symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene, disorientation to time or place, and memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →You do not need a police report or any official documentation of the assault. The VA has specifically relaxed the evidence standards for MST claims under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5).
- →The VA will accept behavioral markers as corroborating evidence. This includes things like sudden transfer requests, changes in performance evaluations, substance abuse, unexplained economic or behavioral changes, relationship problems, or changes in duty assignments.
- →Buddy statements, personal journals, therapy records, or letters written around the time of the event can all serve as valuable supporting evidence.
- →The VA is required to refer MST claims to a specialized team and obtain a medical opinion. They cannot simply deny your claim because there's no formal documentation.
- →MST claims are not limited by gender. Both men and women can and do file these claims.
- →Conditions like erectile dysfunction, IBS, GERD, sleep apnea, and TMJ are commonly granted as secondary to MST-related PTSD.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411; 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5)