Veterans Disability Lawsuit – How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be a solution for a lot of veterans disability law firm suffering 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 more difficulty 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 people are traumatized. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety that cause anxiety. The condition can also cause someone to avoid certain places or situations that trigger the trauma. This can cause people to feel lonely and depressed. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling, medication and support from loved ones.
A new lawsuit brought by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been systematically denying disability compensation claims to Black veterans for a long time. NPR’s Quil Lawrence claims that a whistleblower has told the veterans that VA internal documents show 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 and 2020, the rate for Black veterans of disability claims was rejected at 29.5% compared to only 24.2 percent of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to for the VA to review tens of 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 in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Certain symptoms (headache dizziness, fatigue, headache) are physical, whereas others can include emotions, memory, concentration or behavior problems. TBI patients might also experience difficulties moving or with balance and vision.
TBIs can be caused by an TBI if the brain is injured by a blow or bump to the head. This can occur from an injury that is blunt or a penetrating injury (such as the impact of a bullet). The impact may cause the skull to fracture, causing bruising and bleeding of the brain within the skull. The brain can then expand, pushing against the skull, causing a cut in blood flow. The injury could affect the whole brain or a particular lobe of the brain.
Some TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is dependent on whether or not the skull has been fractured and whether the skull was open or closed due to the impact. TBIs range in severity, ranging from concussions up to death. People suffering from TBI are at a higher risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. A few studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the chance of developing dementia and movement disorders in later life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when the victim experiences trauma. The symptoms can manifest immediately following the event, or may develop years later. They could include memory problems difficulties getting sleep and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily scared or jumpy. Certain people may be depressed or suicidal. The PTSD condition can cause issues at workplace, in relationships and at home. It can also trigger alcohol or drug addiction.
The symptoms can be treated using psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. Medications help to control symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.
Some research is investigating ways to stop PTSD, including looking at whether genes or the brain may affect a person’s reaction to a trauma. Researchers are looking into how a normal reaction to stress can develop into PTSD and how to treat it early.
If you suspect PTSD It is essential to see a doctor. Symptoms that interfere with everyday life, like difficulties getting along with others, or feeling angry or upset need to be addressed immediately. Self-help can be beneficial for some people with PTSD. They may benefit from discussing their experiences in therapy or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They can also benefit by being able to share their fears with a trusted individual.
Depression
Depression can lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. It can be treated through psychotherapy, which involves talking with an expert therapist about the problems which are causing you issues. You could also be prescribed medication to help improve your mood. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, which helps to change negative beliefs and habits as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationships. There are group therapies which bring people suffering from similar conditions together in a positive environment.
The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by rejecting disability compensation claims in a higher proportion than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, who is a Vietnam War veteran who tried to gain access to medical benefits, housing assistance and education benefits for 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 discharge from the military because of PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should have known this when deciding on disability compensation. It cites research that found that between 2001 and 2020, the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.