Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of veterans disability law firm Affairs provides benefits to those who have been in the military, including medical care and specialty programs.

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately having a harder time 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. These symptoms could include anxiety, nightmares or flashbacks that are disturbing. The condition may cause people to avoid certain locations or situations that trigger the trauma. This can lead people to feel isolated and depressed. Counseling, 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 repeatedly denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for a long time. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower told the veterans that VA documents showed that Black veterans were denied benefits in a higher proportion than their white counterparts.

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 of disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to reassess tens of thousands of other claims that were incorrectly denied. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

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

The brain injury due to a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or penetrating cut (such as a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to break which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain can swell and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury may affect the entire brain or a specific lobe of the brain.

Certain TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification is determined by the extent to which the skull was fractured and whether the skull was opened or shut due to the impact. TBIs are a variety of severity, from concussions all the way to insanity. People who have TBIs have a higher chance of developing depression and PTSD and other mental health problems. Research suggests that having several moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of developing dementia and other movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after the victim experiences trauma. It can be apparent immediately following the event or even years after. They could include memory problems as well as difficulty getting sleep and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily scared or jumpy. Some people might be depressed or have suicidal thoughts. The PTSD condition can cause issues at workplace, in relationships and at home. It can also cause alcohol or drug addiction.

Psychotherapy can treat symptoms, such as eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial for those suffering from PTSD. Medications can help to manage symptoms and make it easier to get through everyday tasks.

Some research examines how to prevent PTSD. This includes examining how genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Others are investigating the ways in which a normal stress response changes into PTSD and how to treat it earlier.

If you suspect PTSD It is essential to seek out a medical professional. Symptoms that interfere with daily life, such as difficulties getting along with other people or feeling angry and irritable, should be addressed promptly. Certain people with PTSD have the benefit of self-help by discussing their experiences in therapy or utilizing methods of relaxation, such as deep breathing or a rhythmic exercise. They can also benefit from being able to talk about their anxieties with someone they trust.

Depression

Depression can trigger feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Psychotherapy is one option to manage depression. This is when you talk to an expert about the issues you're experiencing. There may also be medication that can help boost your mood. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change negative thoughts and behaviors and interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationship. There are group therapy options that bring people suffering from similar conditions together in a positive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for years, through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claim at a higher rate than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to obtain medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for more than 50 years. The lawsuit is being handled by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful bid to overturn his less-than-honorable military discharge because of PTSD and other injuries.

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