The most recent OIG report from August 5, 2021, found that VA had not effectively implemented the OIG’s recommendations, did not ensure adequate governance over MST claims processing, and that 57 percent of the previously denied claims reviewed by VA had still not been processed correctly. The report indicated six specific recommendations for VA to review and correct denied claims and implement a series of changes needed to improve claims processing for MST. An August 2018 report by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) detailed how VA erroneously adjudicated 49 percent of the PTSD claims for MST between April 1 and September 30, 2017. The accurate processing of VA claims related to MST is critical to veterans receiving their associated disability benefits. VA data also shows that over the last ten years, MST-related outpatient mental health care increased by more than 158 percent for women veterans and 110 percent for men. According to VA’s fact sheet on MST, data collected from VA’s national screening program reveals that about one in three women and one in fifty men respond “yes” that they experienced MST, when asked by their VA provider. It is, therefore, imperative that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide support for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and deliver benefits and services with dignity and respect at the forefront. Both men and women have a higher rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety and depressive disorders than their peers who did not experience a sexual assault. Armed Forces, male sexual assault victims experience depression, anxiety, nightmares, or problems with anger control. According to the RAND Corporation’s 2018 report titled Needs of Male Sexual Assault Victims in the U.S. Maureen Sayres Van Niel, president of the American Psychiatric Association Women’s Caucus, “There is a clear correlation between the experience of sexual harassment or sexual assault for a women and adverse effects on her life, be they physical or mental health consequences.” These health problems can include anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and poor sleep. The rate of sexual assault in the military directly affects the lives of service members once they transition out of the military. 7 percent of men who experienced a sexual assault last year, for a total of 20,500 service members. This represents about 6.2 percent of active duty women and. ![]() ![]() Supporting Survivors: Assessing VA's Military Sexual Trauma ProgramsĬhair Luria, Chairwoman Brownley, Ranking Members Nehls and Bergman, and members of the subcommittees, on behalf of the men and women of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and its Auxiliary, thank you for the opportunity to provide our views on this important subject.Īccording to the Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military for fiscal year (FY) 2020, released, the number of reported sexual assaults that occurred during military service increased from 6,236 in FY 2019 to 6,290 in FY 2020. Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
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