Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, including medical treatment and special programs.

According to a lawsuit filed on 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

When people experience trauma it may cause them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or flashbacks that cause anxiety. This condition can cause an individual to avoid certain areas or situations that trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can lead people to feel isolated and depressed. Counseling, medication and support from family members can treat PTSD.

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 notified the veterans that VA documents revealed that Black veterans were denied benefits in a higher proportion 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 between 2001 and 2020, the average rate for Black veterans who filed disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to make VA to review tens of thousands of other claims that were denied in error. The lawsuit was filed in federal court earlier 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 symptoms (headache dizziness, headache, fatigue) are physical, while others can include emotions, memory, concentration or behavior problems. TBI patients may also have difficulties moving or with balance and vision.

TBIs can be caused by TBIs can be caused by TBI when the brain is damaged as a result of a bump or blow to the head. This can happen due to an impact that is sharp or from a penetrating injury (such as shooting). The impact can cause skull fracture, which can result in bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain then may swell and push against the skull, causing a cut in blood flow. The injury could occur throughout the entire brain, or only the lobe in which it is located.

Certain TBIs can be classified as closed, and others as open. The classification is based on whether or not the skull has been broken and whether or not the skull was shattered or opened due to the impact. TBIs range in severity, ranging from a concussion up to a death. People with TBI are at greater risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Some research suggests that having several moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing dementia and other movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when an individual experiences a trauma. The symptoms can manifest when the event ends, or years later. Memory problems, difficulty sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily startled are some of the signs. Certain people may be depressed or suicidal. Stress can cause issues at work, in relationships, and at home. It can also lead to addiction, which can include alcohol or drugs.

Psychotherapy can treat symptoms such as eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for veterans disability lawsuit some people with PTSD. Medications help to control symptoms and make everyday activities easier.

Some research is investigating ways to prevent PTSD and examining the possibility that genes or the brain can influence a person's response to a trauma. Other studies are looking at how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem.

It is important to see a doctor if you have PTSD. It is crucial to address symptoms that interfere with your daily routine, like difficulty in getting along with others, or feeling angry and frustrated. Some people with PTSD benefit from self-help like sharing their experiences in therapy or utilizing methods of relaxation, such as deep breathing or a rhythmic exercise. They can also benefit from sharing their fears with a person they trust.

Depression

Depression is an illness that can bring on feelings of despair and sadness. Psychotherapy is one method to combat depression. This is when you talk to an expert about the issues you're experiencing. You could be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you modify negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are group therapies that bring people with similar conditions together in a positive environment.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades, by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claim at a higher percentage than white veterans disability attorneys. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been battling to receive medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for more than 50 years. The lawsuit is being filed by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful attempt to rescind his unhonorable military discharge because of PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit says that racial bias within the justice system of the military affected the discharge status of a lot of Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware this when they made disability compensation decisions. It cites a study that discovered that between 2001 and 2020 the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared with 24.2% for white veterans.