How do I file a VA disability claim?

File VA Form 21-526EZ — Application for Disability Compensation.

How long does a VA disability claim take?

4-6 months on average for an initial decision; longer for complex or appealed claims.

A DD-214 is the federal Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued to every U.S. servicemember leaving active service.

Veteran Q&A

What is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?

MST refers to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service. VA provides free MST-related care regardless of discharge characterization.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is the VA's term for sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. Both men and women experience MST at significant rates. VA provides FREE MST-related medical and mental-health care regardless of discharge characterization, era, or service-connected status. Vet Centers offer free counseling for survivors AND their families.

Detail

Definition: any sexual assault or harassment that occurred during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
Prevalence: approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men in VA care report MST.
Free VA care: MST-related medical AND mental-health treatment is free, regardless of discharge characterization (Honorable, General, OTH, BCD, even Dishonorable).
No proof required for VA care: you don't need to have reported the incident at the time, no police report, no military records of it. Self-disclosure to a VA provider is enough.
Disability claim: file VA Form 21-526EZ + 21-0781a (MST stressor form). VA accepts "markers" (transfer requests, STD testing, behavioral changes) as evidence in lieu of formal incident reports.
Each VA Medical Center has an MST Coordinator. Vet Centers offer free MST counseling community-based, no enrollment required.
Crisis support: Veterans Crisis Line 988 Press 1, RAINN 1-800-656-HOPE, DoD Safe Helpline 1-877-995-5247 (active-duty / dependents).

In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Text 838255. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net.

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These plain-English answers are maintained by Wounded Warriors / Warriors Fund (Texas 501(c)(3), EIN 86-1336741). We cite VA's official sources where applicable. Always verify the most current rules at va.gov. Free, machine-queryable under CC-BY 4.0.

What is Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?

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