Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

For many veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service, a disability lawsuit could be the answer. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who served in the military, including medical treatment and specialty programs.

However, getting those benefits is particularly difficult for Black veterans, as per a new lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic.

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can develop when people are traumatized. The symptoms include nightmares, anxiety or disturbing flashbacks. The condition can also cause a person to avoid certain locations or situations that trigger the traumatic event. This can lead individuals to feel isolated and depressed. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication as well as the support of loved ones.

A new lawsuit filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for years. 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 their white counterparts.

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

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were wrongfully denied benefits. It also seeks to force the VA to reassess the thousands of other claims that were dismissed in error. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or even severe and symptoms may become evident or develop in the hours or even weeks following the injury. There are physical symptoms (headache fatigue, dizziness and headache) while others include problems with memory focus, emotions, or behavior. TBI patients may also experience trouble moving or having problems with balance and vision.

The brain's damage from a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt on the head, or a blow that is a blunt force or penetrating cut (such as from a gun). The impact can result in a skull fracture that can lead to bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain could then swell and push against the skull and reducing blood flow. The injury could affect the entire brain or a specific area of the brain.

Certain TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is based on whether the skull is fractured or not and on whether the skull was closed or opened by the impact. TBIs are a variety of severity, ranging from concussions to death. People suffering from TBI are at a higher risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders in later life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is a condition that occurs after people suffer a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event or years later. Memory issues, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability and being easily shocked are some of the signs. Some people may experience depression or suicidal thoughts. The condition can cause problems at home, work and in relationships. It can also cause addiction, including the use of alcohol or drugs.

Symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Some sufferers of PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. The medications can help manage the symptoms and help you get through everyday activities.

Some research is exploring how to stop PTSD, including looking at whether genes or the brain can influence a person's response to a trauma. Researchers are studying how a normal response to stress could turn into PTSD and how to treat it early.

It is vital to see your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. Any symptoms that impact your daily life, such as trouble getting along with people around you or feeling angry and annoyed must be addressed quickly. Self-help is a great option for those suffering from PTSD. They may benefit from talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They also benefit from being able share their fears with a trusted person.

Here are some of ways to reduce your risk:

Depression can lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Psychotherapy is one option to manage depression. This involves talking with a professional about the problems you are experiencing. You may be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps you change negative behavior and thoughts and interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationship. There are also group therapies that bring people with the same condition together in a calming and supportive environment.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claim in a higher proportion than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, an Vietnam War veteran who tried to access medical benefits such as housing aid and education benefits for the past 50 years. The suit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful bid to reverse his less than honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit claims that racial discrimination in the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should have known this when deciding on disability compensation. It cites a study that found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans disability lawyers (more..) who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared with 24.2% for white veterans disability lawyer.