File VA Form 21-0781a (PTSD secondary to personal assault) along with VA Form 21-526EZ. VA uses "markers" as evidence in lieu of formal incident reports.
MST claims use VA Form 21-0781a — a special variant of the PTSD stressor form designed for sexual-assault cases. VA recognizes that MST is often unreported at the time, so it accepts "markers" — medical-record changes, pregnancy tests, transfer requests, behavioral changes — as evidence in lieu of formal incident reports. Vet Centers offer free MST-related counseling regardless of discharge status.
Detail
- File VA Form 21-526EZ + Form 21-0781a (PTSD stressor for personal assault) at va.gov/disability/.
- Markers VA accepts as evidence: STR documentation of physical injury, pregnancy tests/STD testing, sudden transfer requests, performance-evaluation drops, mental-health visits.
- Buddy statements (from people who knew you in service) can corroborate behavioral changes.
- Eligibility: ANY discharge characterization — even Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges qualify for MST-related care at the VA.
- Free counseling: every VA Medical Center has a Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. Vet Centers (community-based) also provide free MST counseling, no enrollment required.
- Free claim help: National Veterans Legal Services Program, Swords to Plowshares, and Veterans Legal Clinics (at law schools) handle MST cases pro bono.
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