Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for a large number of veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of veterans disability law firm Affairs offers benefits to veterans, including medical care and special programs.

However, obtaining those benefits is disproportionately difficult for Black veterans, according to a 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 arise in people who have been traumatized. The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or disturbing flashbacks. This condition can cause people to avoid places or situations that trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can lead to depression and isolation. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with the help of counseling and medication, as well as support from loved ones.

A new lawsuit brought jointly by Black veterans and the Yale law clinics has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims for Black veterans repeatedly over the course of decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the veterans that VA internal documents showed Black veterans were more often denied benefits than white veterans.

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

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to oblige VA to reassess tens of thousands of claims that were denied in error. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or even severe and symptoms may be immediately apparent or they may develop within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. There are physical symptoms (headache dizziness, fatigue, and headache) while others include problems with memory focus, emotions, or behavior. People with TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI may also have trouble getting around or having balance issues and vision.

The brain's damage from a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt on the head, whether from a blunt force or a penetrating wound (such as from a shot). The impact may cause the skull to fracture which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain can swell and push against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury could happen to the entire brain or one particular lobe.

Certain TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is based on whether or not the skull has been fractured and whether the skull was opened or shut by the impact. TBIs differ in severity, from concussions to fatal coma. People with TBIs have a higher risk of developing depression and PTSD, as well as other mental health problems. Certain studies suggest that having a variety of moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of dementia and movement disorders later on in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a person experiences a trauma. The symptoms can manifest immediately following the incident or a few years later. They may include memory issues trouble sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily scared or jumpy. Certain people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. Stress can cause issues at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also lead to alcohol or drug dependence.

Psychotherapy can treat symptoms, like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants, such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial for those suffering from PTSD. The medications help manage symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.

A few studies are looking at ways to stop PTSD, including looking at the possibility that genes or the brain may affect a person's reaction to trauma. Other studies are looking at how a normal response to stress changes into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem.

If you suspect PTSD It is essential to speak with a doctor. The symptoms that hinder your daily life, such as difficulty relating to others or feeling angry and upset should be addressed immediately. Self-help may be helpful for people suffering from PTSD. They may benefit from talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They can also benefit by being able to discuss their fears with a person they trust.

Depression

Depression can bring feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated with psychotherapy, which is the process of talking with an therapist about the issues that cause you stress. It could also involve medications that can help boost your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you modify negative thoughts and behavior and focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring patients with the same issue together in a supportive setting.

The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black veterans for decades by rejecting disability claims at greater percentages than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who was a Vietnam War veteran who tried to access medical benefits as well as housing assistance 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 attempt to overturn his less-than-honorable discharge from the military because of PTSD and other injuries.

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