Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

For many veterans suffering disabilities resulting from their military service, a disability lawsuit may be the solution. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who been in the military, such as medical care and specialty programs.

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

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can arise when people are traumatized. The symptoms include nightmares, anxiety, or frightening flashbacks. The condition may also cause someone to avoid certain places or situations that remind them of the trauma. This can lead people to feel lonely and depressed. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication, as well as support from family members.

A new lawsuit brought jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found that the Department of veterans disability lawyers Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black vets systematically over decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower informed the veterans that VA internal documents showed Black veterans were denied benefits more frequently than white veterans.

The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. It cites data showing 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 compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to for the VA to reassess tens of thousands of other claims which were incorrectly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI symptoms can be immediate or may develop for hours, days or even weeks later. Certain symptoms are physical (headache fatigue, dizziness and headache) and others are related to problems with memory and concentration, emotional or behavior. TBI patients might also experience difficulties moving or with balance and vision.

The damage to the brain due to a TBI can be caused by a bump, a blow or jolt on the head, whether from a blunt force or penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact can result in a skull fracture, which may cause bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain can expand and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury can affect the entire brain or a specific lobe of the brain.

Some 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 the skull was opened or shut by the impact. TBIs differ in severity, from concussions to fatal coma. Patients with TBI are at increased risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when someone has suffered a trauma. The symptoms can begin immediately after the event ends, or years later. Memory problems, difficulty sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily shocked are some of the signs. Some people may feel depressed or suicidal. PTSD can cause problems at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also trigger alcohol or drug dependence.

Psychotherapy can help treat symptoms, like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial for people suffering from PTSD. Medications can help control the symptoms and make it easier to get through daily activities.

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

It is crucial to visit a physician if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to deal with issues that affect your daily routine, like difficulty in getting along with others, or being annoyed and frustrated. Self-help may be helpful for people suffering from PTSD. They may benefit from sharing their experiences during therapy, or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also gain from sharing their fears with a trusted person.

Here are some of the methods to lower your risk of contracting a disease:

Depression is a condition that can lead to feelings of despair and sadness. It can be treated with psychotherapy. It involves speaking with an expert therapist about the problems that are causing you problems. You could also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you change negative beliefs and habits, and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your relationships. There are also group therapies that bring patients with similar conditions together in a supportive setting.

The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for a long time, through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claim in a higher proportion than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been fighting for medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for over 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's veterans disability lawsuits 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 justice system of the military affected the discharge status of numerous Black service members, and VA officials should have known this when they made disability compensation decisions. The lawsuit cites research that found that, between 2001 and 2020, the average denial rate of Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5% in contrast to 24,2 percent for white veterans.