What resources are available for MST survivors who haven't yet filed a claim?

You more than remember the assault. You’ve carried it silently for years, maybe decades. Now you’re thinking about filing a claim with the VA—but the idea of getting started feels frightening. Where do you even begin? What if you don’t have documentation? What if no one believes you?

Military sexual trauma (MST) survivors don’t have to face these questions alone. Long before filing a claim, Veterans can access confidential counseling, connect with others who understand, and receive help gathering the documentation that strengthens their case. These MST resources exist specifically to support survivors through every stage—including the time before a claim is ever submitted.

Here’s what you should know about the available resources and how our experienced Veterans benefits attorneys at the Law Office of Sean Kendall can assist you when you’re ready to file a claim for MST. From our office in Boulder, Colorado, we help Veterans nationwide obtain the benefits they earned through their service—request your free consultation to learn more. 

Why Does Pre-Claim Support Matter for MST Survivors?

Filing a VA claim for military sexual trauma requires more than paperwork. It demands emotional readiness, access to accurate information and often, proof of trauma that occurred years or even decades ago. Many MST survivors delay filing because they feel unprepared or unsupported. 

Pre-claim resources address these barriers directly. They provide safe spaces to process trauma, explain what the claims process involves, and help survivors understand what evidence might support their case—all without pressure to file before they’re ready.

The Emotional Weight of Starting a Claim

Deciding to file an MST claim means revisiting painful memories. Survivors often worry about being disbelieved, judged, or retraumatized by the process itself. Confidential counseling and peer support groups offer validation and preparation, helping Veterans build resilience before engaging with the VA system.

Documentation Challenges Survivors Face

Unlike physical injuries supported by medical records, MST often lacks formal documentation. Assaults frequently went unreported due to fear of retaliation, command climate, or shame. Pre-claim support includes guidance on alternative evidence—such as behavioral health records, statements from fellow service members, or personal journals—that substantiate MST claims for PTSD and other issues even without a formal report.

How Is Confidential Counseling Designed for MST Survivors?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers this free service through its MST Coordinator program. These specialized counselors understand the unique dynamics of military sexual trauma and provide support. The benefits of MST counseling include:

• No claim is required. Veterans can access counseling regardless of whether they plan to file for benefits, and participation doesn’t obligate them to start a claim.
• Complete confidentiality. Counseling sessions remain private. Information shared with counselors isn’t automatically added to VA records or shared with claims processors.
• Trauma-informed approach. MST Coordinators receive specialized training in sexual trauma and understand how military culture affects disclosure and healing.

This supportive approach helps survivors process trauma, develop coping strategies, and understand how the claims process works—if and when they choose to pursue it. Many Veterans use these sessions to decide whether filing feels right for them.

Finding an MST Coordinator Near You

Every VA medical center employs at least one MST Coordinator. Veterans can locate their nearest coordinator by calling the VA’s main line, visiting the VA’s MST website, or asking any VA health care provider for a referral. Coordinators also offer telehealth appointments for Veterans who live far from VA facilities or prefer remote support.

How Do Peer Support Groups Connect Survivors with Shared Experiences?

Isolation compounds trauma. Many MST survivors believe they’re alone in their experiences, especially if they never reported the assault or witnessed other survivors come forward. Peer support groups counter this isolation by connecting Veterans who share similar histories. 

These groups typically meet monthly at VA facilities, community veteran centers, or online. Facilitators—often fellow survivors or trained counselors—create structured environments where participants can share stories, ask questions, and learn from others who’ve navigated the claims process. 

The benefits of joining a peer support group include: 

• Normalized experiences. Hearing others describe similar trauma reduces shame and self-blame. Survivors realize their reactions and fears are common, not weaknesses. 
• Practical guidance. Group members often share what worked in their own claims, what evidence proved helpful, and how they managed interactions with VA staff. 
• Ongoing encouragement. Filing a claim can take months—and sometimes years. Peer groups provide sustained support through setbacks, appeals, and victories. 

Some groups focus specifically on MST survivors who are preparing to file claims, offering practical workshops on gathering evidence or understanding VA terminology. Others emphasize healing and connection regardless of claims status. 

What Documentation Assistance Helps Build Stronger MST Claims?

Many survivors worry they lack sufficient evidence. Documentation assistance programs—which are offered through Veteran service organizations, legal clinics, and some VA facilities—help Veterans identify and compile evidence they may not realize they have.

What Counts as Evidence in MST Claims?

The VA doesn’t require a formal assault report to grant MST-related claims. Alternative evidence can include: 

• Behavioral health records. Treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or substance abuse following the trauma helps establish a timeline and connection to service. 
• Buddy statements. Fellow service members who witnessed behavioral changes, heard about the assault, or observed the aftermath can provide written statements.
• Personal records. Journals, letters, or emails from the time of service may document distress or mention the assault indirectly. 
• Personnel records. Sudden performance declines, requests for unit transfers, or disciplinary actions around the time of the trauma can support claims. 

Documentation specialists assist survivors in locating these records, request copies from military archives, and organize materials into coherent narratives that meet VA requirements.

How Do VSOs Support Pre-Claim Preparation?

VSOs such as the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the American Legion employ accredited representatives who provide free assistance with VA claims. Many VSOs now offer specialized MST support, including pre-claim consultations that outline what evidence strengthens cases and how to request records from the National Archives or other repositories. 

These representatives don’t pressure Veterans to file. Instead, they answer questions, explain timelines, and help survivors understand what filing entails—allowing Veterans to make informed decisions about when and whether to proceed.

When Is Legal Guidance Valuable to Your Claim?

While pre-claim resources provide essential support, survivors often benefit from consulting a United States Veterans lawyer early in the process. Legal guidance proves especially valuable when:

• Claims involve complex medical evidence. Conditions like PTSD with comorbid depression or physical injuries resulting from assault may require expert medical opinions.
• Prior claims were denied. Survivors who filed years ago and received denials may need legal analysis to determine whether new evidence or legal strategies could support appeals.
• Service records were incomplete. Veterans with missing or contradictory personnel files often need legal help reconstructing timelines and obtaining alternative documentation. 

The Law Office of Sean Kendall has decades of experience representing Veterans in disability claims nationwide, including complex cases involving military sexual trauma. Our attorneys understand how MST claims differ from other disability claims. We know what evidence the VA prioritizes, how to frame survivor testimony effectively, and when to bring in medical experts who can connect current conditions to past trauma.

Take the First Step Without Pressure

Pre-claim support exists because filing a VA claim for military sexual trauma shouldn’t feel like jumping off a cliff. Survivors deserve time to heal, gather information, and decide whether pursuing benefits aligns with their goals.

Accessing confidential counseling, joining a peer support group, or consulting with a VSO representative doesn’t commit Veterans to anything. These MST resources simply open doors—providing information, validation, and practical help to survivors who are still deciding their next move. 

For Veterans ready to explore legal guidance alongside other pre-claim support, attorney Sean Kendall is ready to assist you. He’s advocated for Veterans since the creation of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 1988, handling thousands of cases across the country and collaborating with medical experts to secure benefits for his clients.

For MST survivors navigating the claims process, we provide compassionate legal guidance that respects the sensitive native of these cases while building strong claims supported by appropriate evidence and expert testimony. Whether you’re just beginning to consider a claim or need help understanding what evidence might support your case, we can help.