Claims involving military sexual trauma (MST) often do take longer than average because the VA applies special evidentiary rules under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5). Since MST incidents frequently are not documented in official military records, the VA must look for "markers" — indirect evidence such as changes in performance evaluations, requests for transfer, visits to mental health providers, substance use, or statements from family and friends. Gathering and reviewing this kind of circumstantial evidence, plus any VA Form 21-0781a statement you submitted, naturally extends the evidence-gathering phase of the claims process compared to claims with a clear service record of the stressor.
It is never too late to involve a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), a county/state veteran service officer, or an accredited claims agent or attorney, even after a claim has already been filed. They cannot force the VA to move faster, but they can review your file, confirm nothing is missing, check whether a Disability Benefits Questionnaire or buddy statements were properly submitted, and in some cases contact the regional office or your Veterans Service Representative to ask about status. Many veterans choose to add a VSO mid-claim specifically because of delays like this.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →There is no fixed, guaranteed timeline for when a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam will be scheduled. It depends on the regional office's workload, the contracted examiner network in your area, and whether additional private or VA medical records still need to be requested under the VA's duty to assist (38 CFR 3.159). Exams are generally scheduled once the evidence-gathering phase is substantially complete, though in some cases exams are ordered earlier if a claim is deemed ready. Checking your claim status and messages on VA.gov periodically, and watching for mailed exam notification letters, is the most reliable way to know when one has been scheduled.
If your claim remains in the same phase for several more months with no updates, the concrete next step is to contact a VSO or accredited representative now to request an informal status check and confirm that no additional evidence requests are outstanding.
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