Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for many veterans who suffer from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical care and special programs.

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

PTSD

If someone experiences trauma they may be prone to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can manifest as flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety that are disturbing. The condition may also cause a person to avoid certain locations or situations that remind them of the trauma. This can lead to depression and isolation. Counseling, medication and the support from family members can in treating PTSD.

A new lawsuit brought by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has found that the Department of veterans disability attorneys Affairs has consistently denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for a long time. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the veterans that VA internal documents reveal that Black veterans were more often denied benefits 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 rate for Black veterans' disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were denied benefits unfairly. It also demands the VA to reconsider the thousands of other claims that were wrongly dismissed. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe and symptoms may be immediately apparent or may develop in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Some of the symptoms are physical (headache, fatigue and dizziness) while others may be related to issues with memory, concentration, emotions or behavior. TBI patients may also have difficulty moving or with vision and balance.

TBIs can result from the occurrence of a TBI when the brain is damaged by an injury or bump to the head. This can happen due to an injury that is blunt or a penetrating injury (such as the impact of a bullet). The impact may cause the skull fracture that can cause bleeding and bleeding of the brain within the skull. The brain may then swell pushing against the skull, causing a cut in blood flow. The injury can affect the entire brain or a specific area of the brain.

Certain TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification is based on whether the skull was damaged or not, as well as whether the skull was closed or opened by the impact. TBIs differ in severity, from concussions all the way to coma. People who suffer from TBIs are at a higher chance of developing depression and PTSD as well as other mental health conditions. Certain studies suggest that having a number of moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of dementia and other movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, develops after people suffer a trauma. The symptoms can start immediately after the event ends or a few years later. Memory issues, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability, and being easily startled are some of the signs. Certain people may be depressed or suicidal. Stress can cause issues at workplace, in relationships and at home. It can also lead to alcohol or drug dependence.

Psychotherapy can be used to treat symptoms such as eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit by taking antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. These medications can help control symptoms and make everyday activities more enjoyable.

Certain studies examine ways to prevent PTSD. This includes examining how genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to a trauma. Some researchers are investigating the ways in which a normal response to stress may turn into PTSD and how to treat it early.

If you suspect PTSD It is vital to see a doctor. It is essential to address issues that affect your everyday life, such as difficulty relating to other people, or feeling frustrated and angry. Some people with PTSD can benefit from self-help techniques like talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or rhythmic exercise. They also benefit from being able to share their fears with a trusted person.

Depression

Depression is a condition that can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can be treated through 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 numerous types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy aids you change your negative thoughts and behaviors while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are group therapies which bring people who have similar issues together in a positive environment.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades, by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claim in a higher proportion than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to get medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for over 50 years. The suit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful attempt to reverse his less-than honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit says that racial discrimination in the military justice system affected the discharge status of a number of Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware of this when making the decisions on disability compensation. The lawsuit cites research that revealed that, between 2001 and 2020 the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5% against 24,2% for white veterans.