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 might be the answer. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical care and special programs.

However, obtaining these benefits isn't easy for Black veterans, as per a new lawsuit filed Monday. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can manifest in people who have been traumatized. These symptoms could include panic, nightmares, flashbacks or other symptoms that are disturbing. This condition can make the sufferer to avoid situations or places that are reminiscent of their painful experience. This can lead to isolation and depression. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can help in treating PTSD.

A new lawsuit filed jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims for Black veterans repeatedly over a long period of time. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower informed the vets that VA documents showed that Black veterans were denied benefits at a higher percentage than their white counterparts.

The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Vimeo Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics showing that between 2001 and 2020, the rate for Black veterans of disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% of white veterans.

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

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms may be immediately evident or develop days or weeks after the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, headache, fatigue) are physical, whereas others could be related to memory, concentration, emotion or behavioral issues. TBI patients might also experience difficulty moving or with vision and balance.

The brain damage due to a TBI can be caused through a hit, bump or jolt to the head or a blow that is a blunt force or penetrating wound (such as from a gun). The impact may cause the skull to break which causes bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may expand and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury could occur throughout the entire brain, or only a specific lobe.

Certain TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is determined by whether or not the skull was fractured and whether the skull was open or closed due to the impact. TBIs can vary in severity ranging from a concussion to the coma. People suffering from TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Certain studies suggest that having a variety of moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of dementia and other movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD is the result of having to experience a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event or even years after. They may include memory issues, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily scared or jittery. Certain people may suffer from depression or suicidal ideas. PTSD can cause issues at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also lead alcohol or drug addiction.

It is possible to treat symptoms with psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit by taking antidepressants, such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. The medication helps to manage symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.

Certain studies examine ways to avoid PTSD. This includes looking at whether genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to a trauma. Other researchers are looking into how a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.

It is important to see an expert if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to deal with issues that impact your daily life, such as difficulties in relating to others, or feeling anger and frustrated. Self-help may be helpful for those suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from discussing their experiences in therapy, or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also benefit from being able to share their anxieties with someone they trust.

The following are some of the methods to lower your risk of getting sick:

Depression is a condition that can lead to feelings of sadness and despair. Psychotherapy is one method to combat depression. It involves speaking with an expert about the issues you're experiencing. You may also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change negative behavior and thoughts as well as interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same issue together in a supportive setting.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black socorro veterans disability lawsuit for a long time, through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claim at a higher percentage than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, an Vietnam War veteran who tried to obtain medical benefits, housing assistance and education benefits for Vimeo over 50 years. The suit was 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 bias in the justice system for military personnel impacted the discharge status of numerous Black service members, and VA officials should have known this prior to making disability compensation decisions. The lawsuit cites a study which found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5%, compared to 24.2% for white veterans.