The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made special regulations to make it easier for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) victims to obtain disability benefits. In cases of MST, the veteran need only show evidence of a change in behavior. Change in behavior can be shown by a request to transfer to another unit, decline in work performance, substance abuse, depression, panic attacks, and anxiety without an otherwise discernible cause or unexplained economic or social behavioral changes. If the veteran can show that there was a change in behavior during military service and there is a current psychiatric diagnosis due to the MST, the VA will grant a service connection then rate the severity of the condition.
For more news related to sexual assault, visit this Military.com section. For more on veteran health care benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits section.
