Va Mst Claims
claims wallpaperLike 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. 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.
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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.
Va mst claims. MST-related PTSD claims fall under the personal assault category of PTSD in VA law. Markers Used By VA To Substantiate An MST Claim Records from the following. This is to make sure they have the specialized knowledge needed to evaluate these claims properly.
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. VAs guidance on special consideration of MST claims is currently limited to claims for PTSD but the guidelines are still useful in proving the event or injury in claims where a Military Sexual Trauma has caused a disability other than PTSD. Disability compensation can be awarded for a mental health condition that is related to MST.
For claims that fall under this category of PTSD objective documentation of the actual stressor is not necessary. Fortunately the VA has relaxed its standards its evidence standards for claims of PTSD resulting from MST. 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.
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. 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. You can also apply online at wwwebenefitsvagov.
If you were involved in any sexual act against your will during your time in the military you may have experienced MST. Military Sexual Trauma MST. When it comes to MST claims VA disability compensation is not given for MST alone.
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. A diagnosis of PTSD anxiety andor depression from your Provider filing for MST will not work. MST includes any sexual activity that you are involved with against your will.
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. This can happen to both women and men. 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.
Click here for more information on military sexual trauma and treatments available for resulting conditions from VA. General information about their approach is available here. WINNING A VA CLAIM FOR MST Your Checklist You Will Need 1.
Example VA PTSD MST Medical Opinion Request TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION REQUESTED. Overview VA uses the term military sexual trauma MST to refer to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service. 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 now provides special training to staff who work on MST-related claims.
