Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) Letter 20-11-23 emphasizes training protocols for VA Regional Office staff involved in disability claims related to military sexual trauma (MST).

It also states that claims examiners must:

• Apply "proper flexibility and sensitivity in evaluating evidence;"
• Accept both the veteran's statement and secondary evidence of changes in behavior as evidence;  and
• Schedule the appropriate exam when a claim is received based on MST even if the veteran's service records are silent concerning any official notification or immediate behavioral changes.

You can find more MST resources by clicking here

July 2011, updated May 2020