Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

For many veterans who suffer from disabilities as a result of their military service, a disability lawsuit may be the solution. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical treatment and special programs.

According to a lawsuit filed on Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more difficulty obtaining these benefits. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.

PTSD

If people suffer from trauma, it can cause them to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares, or troubling flashbacks. The condition can make people to avoid places or situations that are reminiscent of their painful experience. This can lead people to feel isolated and depressed. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with counseling, medication and support from family members.

A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and the Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims made by Black vets systematically over decades. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower revealed to the veterans that VA documents revealed 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 and 2020, the percentage 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 benefits. It also aims to force the VA to reassess the thousands of other claims that were dismissed in error. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms may be instantly apparent or may develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, headache) are physical, whereas others could be related to emotional, memory, concentration or behavior issues. TBI patients might also experience difficulty moving or with vision and balance.

The brain's damage due to a TBI can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or a blow that is a blunt force or penetrating wound (such as from a gun). The impact can cause the skull to break, causing bruising and bleeding of the brain inside the skull. The brain can swell and press against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury could happen to the entire brain, or only one lobe.

Certain TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is based on whether the skull has been damaged or not, as well as whether the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs vary in severity, from concussions up to insanity. People who suffer from TBIs are at an increased risk of developing depression and PTSD as well as other mental health problems. Research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the chance of developing dementia and other movement problems in later years.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after a person experiences a trauma. The symptoms can begin immediately after the event is over, or years later. They could include memory problems as well as difficulty with concentration and sleep, a feeling of anger and irritability, and being easily frightened or jumpy. Some people may feel depressed or suicidal. PTSD can cause issues at work, in the home, and in relationships. It can also cause addiction, which can include alcohol or other drugs.

It is possible to treat symptoms with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and processing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for some people with PTSD. The medication helps to manage symptoms and make everyday activities easier.

Certain studies examine ways to prevent PTSD. This includes examining how the brain and genes influence a person's reaction to a trauma. Researchers are looking into how a normal response to stress may turn into PTSD and how to treat it early.

If you suspect PTSD, it is important to see a doctor. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulty relating to people around you or feeling angry and irritable need to be addressed immediately. Self-help may be helpful for people suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from sharing their experiences in therapy or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They also benefit by being able to discuss their fears with a person they trust.

Here are a few of the ways to reduce your risk:

Depression is an illness that can bring on feelings of sadness and despair. Psychotherapy is one way to combat depression. It involves speaking with a professional about the problems you are experiencing. It may also include medications that can help to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative attitudes and behaviors as well as interpersonal therapy, which concentrates on your relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same condition together in a calming and supportive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for a long time, by rejecting disability compensation claims at a higher percentage than white Veterans Disability Lawyers. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to get medical benefits including housing, education and housing benefits for over 50 years. The lawsuit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful bid to rescind his unhonorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit claims that racial bias in the justice system of the military affected the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have been aware of this when making the decisions on disability compensation. It cites research that found 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.