The Veterans Affairs Department expanded eligibility for veterans in need of mental healthcare due to sexual assault or sexual harassment, a Dec. 1 VA statement says.
As part of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, the expansion primarily pertains to Reservists and National Guard members participating in weekend drills.
VACAA gives the authority to offer veterans care and services needed to treat conditions resulting from military sexual trauma that occurred during a period of inactive duty training, the statement says.
“Our range of services for MST-related experiences are constantly being reexamined to best meet the needs of our Veterans,” VA Secretary Robert McDonald said in the statement.
The VA says it works closely with trauma survivors to ensure a full slate of healthcare services are provided to assist veterans recovering from experiences of military sexual trauma.
The agency says it recognizes that survivors of military sexual trauma have special needs so the VA is appointing a military sexual trauma coordinator at each medical center as a contact person.
Every VA medical center and community-based Vet Center also offers military sexual trauma-related outpatient counseling, the statement says.
