Everyone who joins the armed forces knows there’s a chance they could be injured in training or on deployment, but few ever expect to be hurt by their friends, colleagues, or commanding officers. Nevertheless, military sexual trauma remains commonplace, affecting women as well as men. For survivors, the consequences are often life-altering, impacting different facets of their physical and psychological well-being.
Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with a wide range of serious health conditions. In some cases, Veterans who have been assaulted, abused, or otherwise traumatized may find it more difficult to become intimate with a partner or start a family of their own.
You don’t have to accept hardship and uncertainty in place of support and solutions. Keep reading to learn more about your right to receive disability benefits for an MST-related reproductive health condition, or contact Sean Kendall, Attorney at Law, today to speak to a military sexual assault claims lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible..jpg)
Military Sexual Trauma Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs uses the term military sexual trauma to refer to any type of harassment, abuse, or sexual violence that occurs in the course of military service. Some of the most common examples of MST include, but aren't limited to:
- Being physically forced to engage in sexual activity
- Being pressured, coerced, or intimidated into engaging in sexual activity
- Being touched, grabbed, or otherwise sexually abused while sleeping or intoxicated
- Being coerced into participating in sexually-charged hazing rituals
- Experiencing unwanted sexual comments from another serviceperson or a commanding officer
According to a study commissioned by the Department of Defense, about 6.2% of active-duty women and 0.7% of active-duty men have experienced sexual assault in the past year, whereas 24.2% of active-duty women and 6.3% of active-duty men have been subjected to some form of sexual harassment.
MST and Service-Connected Disabilities
Military sexual trauma has a profound effect on survivors’ physical and psychological well-being, but its results aren’t always obvious. Instead, chronic conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder take a long-term toll, wreaking havoc on the body and brain and making it far more difficult to return to civilian life.
Some of the most common MST-related service-connected disabilities include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
MST can also trigger secondary conditions, defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as any disability or health issue that develops due to another service-connected condition. MST-related secondary conditions often include the following:
- Substance abuse
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
- Migraines
- GERD
Some of these conditions, like substance abuse and sleep apnea, can have life-altering repercussions, both with respect to Veterans’ overall health as well as their ability to form and maintain intimate relationships.
How MST Could Impact Your Sexual and Reproductive Health
Military sexual trauma is closely associated with conditions such as anxiety and PTSD, but it can also directly impact survivors’ sexual health. In general, women face the greatest risk of MST-related sexual health complications, but men can also be affected. Here are some of the most common MST-related sexual and reproductive health conditions.
Sexual Dysfunction
This is a medical term used to describe anything that prevents you from feeling pleasure from sexual activity. In men, it most often takes the form of erectile dysfunction (ED)—the inability to either gain or maintain an erection. Women, in contrast, are at risk for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), which similarly makes it difficult to become or stay aroused.
Sexual dysfunction is common, and doesn’t always have a physical cause. In fact, psychological struggles and emotional challenges, such as those presented by depression, can exacerbate the odds of an individual developing ED or FSAD.
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Sometimes referred to as Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, this issue can occur in either men or women. In men, symptoms often include constant discomfort in the pelvis or groin, and sexual or urinary dysfunction.
In women, pelvic pain might be a sign of infection. It can also be triggered by abnormalities in the pelvic bone, reproductive system, and nonreproductive organs. Recurring pelvic pain could indicate a serious problem with your:
- Uterus
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Cervix
- Vagina
- Pelvic pain can have many different causes, but it is believed to be associated with sexual trauma and abuse. Studies indicate that women who were abused as children are much more likely to report pelvic pain as adults, whereas another report suggests that women of all ages have a higher risk for pelvic pain if they have been assaulted at any point in their lives.
Painful Intercourse
Dyspareunia is pain that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. Like pelvic pain, both men and women can develop this condition. Women who have dyspareunia may feel pain externally in the vulva, while others may experience pain in the pelvic floor muscles and the skin of the vaginal canal.
Dyspareunia often has mental effects as well. It can take a serious toll on intimate relationships, leading to less-frequent intercourse and, in some cases, feelings of alienation and insecurity. Some scientists believe that women who have been sexually abused and perceive a link between their dyspareunia and their sexual dysfunction tend to report worse symptoms than those who haven’t identified a connection.
Infertility
The VA recently released results of an extensive study investigating a possible causal relationship between military sexual trauma and female infertility. Using data from more than 1,000 female participants, there’s sufficient evidence to believe that “sexual assault is … a risk factor for infertility as well as for delay and avoidance of pregnancy.”
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
An STI is any infection that develops as a consequence of sexual contact with an infected person or object. STIs range widely in severity and could include any of the following:
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- Pubic lice
- Syphilis
As long as they’re promptly diagnosed, most STIs can be treated and cured. However, conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and syphilis, can go undetected for long periods of time, presenting few—if any—symptoms. By the time the STI can be identified and treated, it may be too late to reverse damage to mental and reproductive health.
Filing an MST Reproductive Health Claim
If you experienced sexual trauma while serving your country, you could be entitled to VA benefits and disability compensation. Unfortunately, while legislators and policymakers have spent decades expanding the definition of MST and streamlining claims and appeals processes, the VA isn’t always transparent or fair in its decision-making. For some survivors, filing what should be an open-and-shut claim is only the first step in a painful, years-long process of hearings and appeals.
You don’t need a military sexual assault claims lawyer to apply for MST-related benefits, but speaking to a Veterans law attorney could improve your chances of success. Sean Kendall, Attorney at Law, has spent decades helping former servicemen and women assert their rights to VA benefits. Depending on the circumstances of your case, our team could:
- Help establish a service connection between your condition and MST.
- Collect evidence to support your claim, such as old police reports, hospital records, or eyewitness testimony.
- Provide personal advice on how your family and friends can help bolster your claim by writing buddy letters.
- Respond to VA requests for additional evidence.
- Represent you in appeals, hearings, and other formal proceedings.
Rely on over 30 years of our experience to help you achieve the health benefits you've rightfully earned.