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 as a result of their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who have served in the military, including medical treatment and specialty programs.

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

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can manifest when someone is traumatized. The symptoms include nightmares, anxiety or troubling flashbacks. The condition may also cause someone to avoid certain places or situations that remind them of the trauma. This could lead to isolation and depression. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can combat PTSD.

A lawsuit that was filed jointly by Black veterans and the Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black veterans consistently over the course of decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the vets that VA internal documents showed Black veterans were denied benefits more often 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' disability claims was rejected at 29.5% compared to only 24.2% of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were denied benefits unfairly. The lawsuit also seeks to make VA to review tens or thousands of other claims which were wrongly denied. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or even severe and symptoms can be immediately apparent or they may develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Some symptoms are physical (headache dizziness, fatigue and headache) while others include problems with memory, Veterans disability lawsuit concentration, emotions or behavior. TBI patients may also experience trouble moving or having problems with balance and vision.

The damage to the brain caused by a TBI can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head whether from a blunt force or penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact could cause skull fracture, which could lead to bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain may expand and press against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury may be affecting the entire brain or a particular lobe of the brain.

Certain TBIs can be classified as closed and others as open. The classification is determined by the extent to which the skull has been broken and whether the skull was opened or shut by the impact. TBIs can vary in severity, ranging from a concussion up to a the coma. People who have TBIs are more at risk risk of developing depression and PTSD and other mental health conditions. Certain studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs may increase the risk 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 manifest immediately following the event or years later. They may include memory problems as well as difficulty in concentrating and sleeping, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily frightened or jumpy. Certain people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. The PTSD condition can cause issues at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also lead to alcohol or drug dependence.

It is possible to treat symptoms with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants, such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. Medications can help to manage symptoms and help you get through daily activities.

Some research is looking into ways to prevent PTSD as well as examining whether the brain or genes can affect the way a person reacts to trauma. Researchers are looking into how a normal response to stress can turn into PTSD, and how to treat it early.

If you suspect PTSD It is vital to speak with a doctor. Symptoms that interfere with everyday life, like difficulties in relating with others, or feeling angry or annoyed need to be addressed immediately. Self-help can be beneficial for some people with PTSD. They could benefit from talking about their experiences during therapy, or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercises. They may also gain from being able to share their fears with a trusted individual.

Here are a few of the methods to lower your risk:

Depression can trigger feelings of despair or sadness. Psychotherapy is a method to treat depression. This is when you talk to a professional about the problems you are experiencing. You may also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative thoughts and behaviors and veterans Disability lawsuit interpersonal therapy which focuses on your relationships. There are group therapies that bring people suffering from similar ailments together in a positive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by denying disability compensation claims at a higher percentage than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who was an Vietnam War veteran who tried to get medical benefits such as housing aid and education benefits for more than 50 years. The suit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful bid to rescind his less-than-honorable discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit says that racial discrimination in the justice system for military personnel impacted the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have recognized this when making the decisions on disability compensation. It cites a research study that discovered that between 2001 and 2020 the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% for white veterans.