Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be a solution for a large number of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical care and programs for veterans.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more trouble getting these benefits. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic.

PTSD

If people suffer from trauma it may cause them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms may include panic, nightmares, flashbacks or other symptoms that cause anxiety. This condition can cause a person avoid areas or situations that trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can lead to depression and isolation. Counseling, medication, and support from family members can help combat PTSD.

A new lawsuit brought jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims for Black veterans repeatedly over a long period of time. NPR's Quil Lawrence says that a whistleblower revealed to the veterans that VA internal documents revealed that Black veterans were more often denied benefits than their white counterparts.

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

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied access to benefits. It also seeks to force the VA to review thousands of other claims that were wrongly dismissed. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms can be immediately apparent or may develop in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Certain symptoms (headache, dizziness, fatigue) are physical, while others could be related to memory, concentration, emotion or behavior problems. People suffering from TBI TBI might also have difficulty getting around or with balance and vision.

TBIs can result from an TBI if the brain is injured by an injury or bump to the head. This can occur from an injury that is blunt or from a penetrating injury (such as an injury from a bullet). The impact can cause the skull to break which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain may swell and press against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury could occur throughout the entire brain or just one particular lobe.

Some TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is dependent on whether or not the skull has been fractured and whether the skull was open or closed due to the impact. TBIs can range in severity from concussion to being in a coma. People who suffer from TBI are at greater risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the likelihood of developing dementia and movement issues in later life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when someone has suffered a trauma. The symptoms can manifest immediately following the event or even years after. They could include memory problems, difficulty getting sleep and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily startled or jumpy. Some people may experience depression or suicidal. PTSD can create problems at work, at home and even in relationships. It can also trigger alcohol or drug dependence.

The symptoms can be treated using psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and processing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for people suffering from PTSD. Medications can help control the symptoms and help people get through everyday activities.

Certain studies examine ways to prevent PTSD. This includes looking at whether genes and the brain could influence a person's reaction to trauma. Others are exploring the ways in which a normal stress response changes into PTSD and how to treat it earlier.

It is crucial to visit an expert if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to address the symptoms that hinder your daily life, such as difficulty relating to others, or being frustrated and angry. Self-help may be helpful for some people with PTSD. They could benefit from sharing their experiences during therapy, or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also benefit from being able share their fears with a trusted person.

The following are the ways to decrease your risk of contracting a disease:

Depression can cause feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated using psychotherapy, which is the process of talking with an therapist about the issues which are causing you issues. It may also include medication, which can to improve your mood. There are a variety of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy aids you modify negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people who have similar issues together in a calming and supportive environment.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for years, by rejecting disability compensation claim at a higher rate than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who was a Vietnam War veteran who tried to gain access to medical benefits as well as housing assistance and education benefits for more than 50 years. The lawsuit is being filed by Yale Law School’s veterans disability lawsuits Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful attempt to reverse his less-than honorable discharge from the military due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit claims that racial bias within the justice system for military personnel impacted the discharge status of a number of Black service members, and VA officials should have known this when making disability compensation decisions. It cites a study that found that between 2001 and the year 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.