Women Veterans — Care And Benefits Built For You

MST care is free — and the bar is lower than you were told

MST means military sexual trauma: sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that happened during your military service.

• MST-related counseling and treatment is free and confidential
• You do not need a service-connected disability rating
• You may be able to get MST-related care even if you do not qualify for other VA services
• You do not need to have reported it, and you do not need any other proof that it happened
• There is no time limit — no matter how long ago it occurred

Toxic exposure — at home or abroad

This is the door stateside-service women miss most often.

• VA health care eligibility is expanded for veterans exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad
• No combat service required. No deployment required.
• VA must provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care, and repeat it at least once every five years
• There is no deadline. Veterans and survivors can file anytime

One number that answers women's benefit questions

Women Veterans Call Center. Trained women representatives.

• 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) — you can call or text it
• Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET
• Closed federal holidays
• Online chat at womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/programoverview/wvcc.asp

What VA women's health actually covers

VA's health program for women is called Women Veterans Health Care — womenshealth.va.gov.

• Reproductive health and birth control
• Preconception counseling
• Maternity care
• Menopause care, including hormone replacement therapy
• Cancer screenings
• Mental health care
• Prosthetic services

Applying for VA health care

The form is VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits. There is no deadline to apply.

• Online — va.gov/health-care/apply/application
• By phone — 877-222-8387, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET
• By mail — Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207
• In person at a VA medical center or clinic
• With help from an accredited VSO representative, attorney or claims agent

Advocacy, career and events

• VA Center for Women Veterans — department.va.gov/center-for-women-veterans. Know what it is before you call: it is an advocacy and policy office. It does not process claims and it does not deliver care. For a claim, use an accredited representative. For care, use the call center or your Women Veterans Program Manager.
• Opportunities and resources for women veterans — career, education and leadership routes: department.va.gov/center-for-women-veterans/opportunities-and-resources-for-women-veterans
• VA outreach events near you — va.gov/outreach-and-events/events

Seven claim areas worth a second look

Any condition that began in service, or was caused or made worse by a service-connected condition, can be claimed. VA decides each one on the evidence. These are the ones women most often never file.

• 1. MST-related conditions. PTSD, depression, anxiety and sleep problems are commonly claimed after military sexual trauma.A report made during service is not required. VA accepts other evidence (see next panel).
• 2. Gynecological conditions. The VA rating schedule has codes for endometriosis, uterine and ovarian conditions, and surgery to remove reproductive organs.Natural menopause, primary amenorrhea, and pregnancy and childbirth are not rated as disabilities, but chronic complications can qualify. The rating levels are on gynecological and breast VA ratings.
• 3. Breast cancer and its residuals. Breast surgery is rated by type: for example a modified radical mastectomy is 40 percent for one breast, and a radical mastectomy is 50 percent for one breast. Scars and lymphedema are rated under their own codes.
• 4. Migraines. Rated 0, 10, 30 or 50 percent by how often prostrating attacks happen. 10 percent is about one every two months over the last several months, 30 percent is about one a month, and 50 percent is very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks with severe economic inadaptability. Keep a log of every attack and what you had to stop doing.
• 5. GERD and other stomach and esophagus problems. Heartburn, reflux and trouble swallowing can be claimed directly, or as secondary to another service-connected condition.
• 6. Knee, back, ankle and hand problems. Years of carrying gear and repetitive physical work count for women the same as for men.
• 7. Secondary conditions. A condition caused or made worse by a service-connected condition can itself be service connected. Depression, anxiety, sleep problems, weight gain and chronic pain are common examples.

Filing a claim for MST without a report

VA says that if you have a mental or physical health condition related to MST, it encourages you to file a disability compensation claim.

• A report is not required.
• Direct evidence can be statements from a chaplain, a medical facility or family members, or civilian provider records from any time after the MST.
• Other evidence, called markers, can be changes in work performance, relationship problems such as divorce, substance use, anxiety, depression or panic attacks, pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection test results, and treatment for physical injuries.
• Under the regulation, VA cannot deny a PTSD claim based on in-service personal assault without first telling you that evidence from sources other than your service records can support it.

Phone numbers and official pages

• Women Veterans Call Center — 1-855-829-6636 (call or text). Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, Sat 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET.
• VA benefits (claims) — 800-827-1000, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–9 p.m. ET.
• VA health benefits and enrollment — 877-222-8387, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.
• Veterans Crisis Line — dial 988, then press 1. Text 838255.
• MST Coordinator — call your nearest VA medical center and ask for the MST Coordinator. MST care is free, even if you are not eligible for other VA care, and no documentation of the incident is required.
• How to file a disability claim (online, or by mail with VA Form 21-526EZ)
• MST and disability compensation
• MST at VA (Women Veterans Health Care)

Help with a claim — and what it may cost

Women veterans across the country connect through VA programs and veteran-run groups. Good. Just know the rules before you hand anybody your file.

• A recognized veterans organization and its accredited representatives, when acting as such, are not permitted to receive fees. That bar attaches to acting as your accredited representative.
• An accredited attorney or claims agent may charge a fee, but only for representation provided after VA has issued notice of an initial decision on your claim.
• A fee of no more than 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded is presumed reasonable if the representation continued through the date of the awarding decision.
• That rule is 38 CFR 14.636. Never accept "all accredited representatives are free" — it is not that simple.