Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A lawsuit for disability claims by veterans could be the answer for many veterans who suffer from disabilities as a result of their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who been in the military, including medical care and special programs.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black westbury veterans disability lawyer have disproportionately more difficulty receiving 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 traumatized people suffer. The symptoms include nightmares, anxiety or disturbing flashbacks. The condition can make a person avoid places or situations that bring back memories of their trauma experience. This can lead to isolation and depression. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can in treating PTSD.

A new lawsuit filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has found that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been systematically denying disability compensation claims to Black veterans for a long time. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the vets that VA internal documents show Black veterans were more often denied benefits than their white counterparts.

The lawsuit was brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's hellertown Veterans Disability lawyer Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that shows that between 2001 and 2020, the rate of rejection for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for Monk and other Black veterans who were denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to reconsider tens of thousands of other claims which were wrongly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court this week.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or serious and symptoms may be immediately evident or develop within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. Certain symptoms are physical (headache dizziness, fatigue, and headache) while others include problems with memory, concentration, emotions or behavior. TBI patients may also have problems with movement or balance and vision.

TBIs can be caused by an TBI when the brain is damaged by an injury or bump to the head. This can occur from the force of a blunt blow or a penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact can result in a skull fracture, which can cause bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain then may swell, pushing against the skull, causing a cut in blood flow. The injury could happen to the entire brain or one lobe.

Some TBIs can be classified as closed, and others as open. The classification is based on whether or not the skull has been fractured and whether or not the skull was shattered or opened by the impact. TBIs can vary in severity ranging from a concussion to being in a coma. People with TBI are more at 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 other movement problems in later years.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD develops when people are traumatized. Symptoms can start as soon as the event ends and continue for a long time. They may include memory problems, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily shocked or jittery. People may experience depression or suicidal. PTSD can cause problems at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also cause addiction, including alcohol or other drugs.

Psychotherapy can help treat symptoms, like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for some people with PTSD. The medications help manage symptoms and make daily activities easier.

A few studies are looking at ways to prevent PTSD. This includes studying whether the brain and genes influence a person's reaction to a trauma. Others are investigating the ways in which a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it earlier.

It is important to see your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. Symptoms that interfere with daily life, such as difficulties in relating with other people or feeling angry and [empty] irritable should be addressed immediately. Certain people with PTSD benefit from self-help which includes talking about their experiences in therapy or using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or exercise. They also benefit from being able to share their fears with a person they trust.

Here are some of ways to reduce your risk:

Depression can bring feelings of sadness or hopelessness. It can be treated using psychotherapy. It involves speaking with an expert therapist about the problems that are causing you problems. It may also include medication that can help improve your mood. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which aids you change negative attitudes and behaviors as well as interpersonal therapy, which concentrates on your relationships. There are group therapy options that bring people with similar conditions together in a positive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black veterans for decades by refusing disability claims in an increased rate than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to get medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for more than 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful effort to reverse his less than honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should have been aware of this prior to making decisions regarding disability compensation. It cites a research study that discovered that between 2001 and 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.