You served aboard a Navy ship—confined quarters, long deployments, and a chain of command that controlled every aspect of your life. When military sexual trauma (MST) happened in that environment, there was often nowhere to go. No escape. No privacy. Sometimes, no one believed you.
Military sexual trauma aboard Navy ships presents challenges that landlocked service never creates. The isolation of being at sea, the close living quarters, and the rigid hierarchy can make reporting incidents feel impossible. But that trauma qualifies for U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) disability benefits, and Navy Veterans who experienced MST deserve the compensation and mental health support they’ve earned.
Contact the Law Office of Sean Kendall. Our experienced Veterans disability attorneys understand the unique circumstances of MST at sea and will help you build a successful claim. Based in Boulder, Colorado, we represent Veterans nationwide, helping them fight for and secure the benefits they earned through service.
What Makes MST Aboard Navy Ships Different?
Sexual trauma in any military setting is devastating. Aboard a ship, the impact deepens. You couldn’t leave. You couldn’t transfer to another unit across the base. You might have shared berthing spaces with your attacker, eaten meals in the same galley, or worked on the same watch rotation for months at sea.
The physical confinement creates psychological pressure that land-based service doesn’t replicate. When deployment cycles keep you aboard for 6, 8, or 10 months at a time, there’s no relief from the constant reminders. The trauma doesn’t pause when the ship crosses the equator or pulls into port.
Reporting Felt Impossible
Navy Veterans who experienced MST often describe the same barriers to reporting:
- Limited privacy. Small ship populations mean everyone knows everyone’s business—reporting could become public knowledge within hours.
- Chain of command complications. When the person who assaulted you outranks you, or when your direct supervisor doesn’t take you seriously, the military reporting system fails.
- Career consequences. Many Veterans feared retaliation, punishment, or being labeled a troublemaker if they spoke up.
- Cultural dismissal. The “it’s just how things are at sea” mentality silenced countless service members who deserved protection and justice.
These barriers don’t erase your right to VA benefits. Even if you never filed a formal report during your service, you can still pursue disability compensation for the mental health conditions that resulted from MST.
How Does MST Qualify for VA Disability Benefits?
The VA recognizes military sexual trauma as a legitimate basis for disability claims. MST isn’t a diagnosis itself—it’s an experience that often leads to compensable mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric disabilities.
What the VA Needs to See
To establish service connection for MST-related conditions, you must demonstrate:
- In-service trauma. The sexual trauma occurred during your military service—including aboard Navy ships during deployment, training, or any period of active duty.
- Current diagnosis. A mental health professional has diagnosed you with a condition such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, or another psychiatric disability, such as an eating disorder.
- Medical nexus. A health care provider connects your current mental health condition to the MST you experienced during service.
The VA uses a lower standard of evidence for MST claims than for other types of trauma claims. You don’t need direct proof of the assault. The VA considers circumstantial evidence and “markers” that support your account.
Markers the VA Recognizes
Navy Veterans filing MST claims can point to behavioral or circumstantial changes that occurred around the time of the trauma:
- Performance decline. Sudden drops in work evaluations, disciplinary issues, or requests to change duty assignments.
- Medical visits. Sick call records showing visits for anxiety, insomnia, gynecological issues, or sexually transmitted infections.
- Personal relationship changes. Divorce, breakups, or documented relationship strain during or shortly after the traumatic period.
- Behavioral change. Substance abuse, withdrawal from shipboard activities, or requests for mental health services.
These markers help establish that something significant happened, even if you never filed a formal report with your command.
How to File Your MST Claim
First, connect with a mental health care provider. The VA offers specialized MST counseling through Vet Centers and VA medical facilities. These services are free, confidential, and available even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care.
Treatment serves two purposes: it addresses the real psychological impact of your trauma, and it creates the medical documentation your claim needs. A mental health professional can diagnose your condition and write a nexus letter connecting it to your military service.
Collect any documentation that supports your claim, such as:
- Service records. Personnel files, performance evaluations, and any disciplinary records from the period when the MST occurred.
- Medical records. These include both military and civilian records showing treatment for mental health conditions, physical injuries, or related symptoms.
- Personal statements. Your own detailed account of what happened, including where you were stationed, where the trauma occurred, and how it affected you.
- Buddy statements. Written statements from shipmates, friends, or family members who observed behavioral changes during or after the trauma.
The more evidence you provide, the stronger your claim becomes.
When you're ready to file, use the VA’s online portal, send by mail, or ask for help from a Veterans service organization.
Why Will Legal Representation Matter for MST Claims?
You shouldn’t have to fight the bureaucracy alone—not after the military already failed to protect you. Navy Veterans deserve representation from someone who understands both the VA claims process and the unique circumstances of sexual trauma aboard ships. If there’s a need to appeal a decision, Sean Kendall’s experienced VA legal team provides compassionate, confidential legal representation to pursue justice. We’ll help you:
- Develop strong evidence. Identify markers, gather buddy statements, and work with medical professionals to establish the connection between your trauma and your current condition.
- Navigate VA examinations. Prepare for compensation exams and address any unfavorable opinions with independent medical evidence.
- Appeal denials. Challenge VA decisions that undervalue your claim or fail to properly consider the evidence you’ve submitted.
