Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

For many veterans who suffer from disabilities resulting from their military service, a veterans disability lawsuit might be the solution. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who have served in the military, including medical care and special programs.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more trouble in obtaining these benefits. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can arise when people are traumatized. The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares, or troubling flashbacks. The condition may also cause a person to avoid certain locations or situations that bring back memories of the traumatic event. This can cause people to feel lonely and depressed. Counseling, medication, and support from family members can help to treat PTSD.

A new lawsuit filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has found that the Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for decades. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower revealed to the vets that VA documents showed that Black veterans were denied benefits at a higher rate than white veterans.

The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that show that between 2001 and 2020, the rate for Black veterans with disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to for the VA to review tens or thousands of other claims which were denied in error. The lawsuit was filed in federal court this week.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe and symptoms can be immediately apparent or may develop days or weeks after the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, headache) are physical, whereas others could be related to emotional, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. TBI patients may also experience difficulty moving or with vision and balance.

The brain's damage caused by a TBI can be caused through a hit, bump or jolt to the head regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or a penetrating injury (such as from a shot). The impact may cause the skull to fracture which causes bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain can swell and push against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury may affect the entire brain or a specific lobe of the brain.

Certain TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification depends on whether the skull has been fractured or not and whether the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs differ in severity, ranging from a concussion up to a coma. People with TBI are at increased risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. A few studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs may increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders in later life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is the result of having to are traumatized. Symptoms can start when the event has ended or even years later. Memory problems, difficulties in sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger or irritability and being easily shocked are some of the symptoms. Some people may feel depressed or suicidal. The condition can cause problems at work, home, and in relationships. It can also cause addiction, including the use of alcohol or drugs.

Psychotherapy can treat symptoms like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Some sufferers of PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. The medication helps to manage symptoms and make everyday activities more enjoyable.

Some studies explore ways to avoid PTSD. This includes studying whether the brain and genes influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Some researchers are looking at how a normal reaction to stress can develop into PTSD, and how to treat it early.

It is important to see a doctor if you have PTSD. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulties in relating with others or feeling angry and annoyed must be addressed quickly. Self-help may be helpful for people suffering from PTSD. They may benefit from sharing their experiences in therapy or doing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercises. They can also benefit by sharing their anxieties with a trusted friend.

Here are a few of the ways to decrease your risk of contracting a disease:

Depression can bring feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Psychotherapy is one method to manage depression. It involves speaking with an expert about the issues you're experiencing. You could also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you to modify negative thoughts and behavior and focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same condition together in a calming and supportive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black veterans for decades by refusing disability claims in a higher percentage than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who is who is a Vietnam War veteran who tried to obtain medical benefits, housing assistance and education benefits for the past 50 years. The lawsuit is being handled by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful bid to rescind his unhonorable discharge from the military because of PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination within the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members and VA officials should have been aware of this when making decisions about disability compensation. The lawsuit refers to a study that discovered that between 2001 and 2020 the average denial rate of Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29,5%, as opposed to 24,2% for white Veterans Disability Lawyer.