VA sees rise in military sexual trauma claims, thanks to outreach work

Veterans Affairs leaders said outreach and reform efforts related to military sexual trauma cases have led to an increase in claims over the last year, a trend they hope continues into the future.

Department staffers received more than 57,000 MST claims in fiscal 2024, a rise of about 18% from the previous fiscal year, VA leaders told reporters at a press conference Thursday. So far this fiscal year, veterans have already submitted more than 10,700 claims, an increase of 23% from the first two months of fiscal 2024.

Kenesha Britton, assistant deputy under secretary for field operations at VA, said the figures are an encouraging sign that more veterans have faith in the department to handle the cases properly.

“Our mission is driven by a commitment to ensure survivors are met with care, dignity and sensitivity throughout the claims process,” she said. “There is more work to do, but we are determined to make meaningful changes that continue to build trust and instill confidence for all MST survivors.”

Recent reforms have included routing military sexual trauma claims to specialized senior employees, establishing better record sharing with the Defense Department regarding MST cases and incorporating “trauma-informed” practices in the claims process.

Britton said the department has also organized more than 3,500 events solely focused on military sexual trauma claims in the last 14 months “to make veterans aware of the benefits available to them.”

Past Defense Department research has indicated that as many as one in every three female veterans and one in every 25 male veterans experienced sexual assault or harassment while in the ranks.

VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs said victims of military sexual trauma can sometimes be reluctant to report it, both to military officials and veterans benefits adjusters.

“We recognize the immense courage and strength it takes for MST survivors to come forward and to file a disability claim,” he said. “That’s why we treat all claims, but especially those related to MST, with the utmost respect and seriousness they deserve.”

Approval rates for the claims have also risen steadily in recent years, from about 41% in 2011 to more than 63% last fiscal year.

Officials said they hope to continue their outreach work next year, in an effort to bring in even more veterans who have experienced MST. Britton said that includes reviewing past cases to ensure that they’ve been evaluated properly and training more specialists to process the cases.

The department processed record levels of disability benefit claims last year, and is on pace to up that total this fiscal year.

Before Oct. 1, VA staffers processed more than 11,000 cases in a day only twice. Since Oct. 1, they’ve hit that mark nine times.