Veterans Disability Lawsuit – How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for a large number 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, such as medical care and special programs.
According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more trouble in obtaining these benefits. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.
PTSD
When people experience trauma it can lead them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can manifest as flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety that are disturbing. The condition may cause people to avoid certain locations or situations that remind them of the trauma. This can lead individuals to feel isolated and depressed. Counseling, medication and the support from family members can to treat PTSD.
A lawsuit that was filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for years. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower notified the vets that VA documents revealed that Black veterans were denied benefits in a higher proportion than white veterans.
The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale’s veterans disability attorney Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics showing that between 2001 to 2020, the rejection rate for Black veterans of disability claims was rejected at 29.5% compared to only 24.2% of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to oblige VA to review tens of thousands of claims that were incorrectly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms may be immediately apparent or they may develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Some symptoms (headache dizziness, headache, fatigue) are physical, while others could be related to emotions, memory, concentration or behavior problems. TBI patients might also experience difficulties moving or with vision and balance.
TBIs can result from a TBI when the brain is damaged as a result of an injury or bump to the head. This could result from a blunt force, or a penetrating wound (such as an injury from a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to fracture and cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may swell and press against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury may occur in the entire brain, or only a specific lobe.
Some TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is determined by whether or veterans Disability lawsuit not the skull has been fractured and whether the skull was open or closed by the impact. TBIs range in severity, ranging from concussions all the way to fatal coma. Patients with TBIs are at an increased chance of developing depression and PTSD, as well as other mental health conditions. Certain studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the likelihood of developing dementia and movement disorders in later life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is a condition that occurs after people suffer a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event, or may develop years later. Memory problems, trouble in sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger or irritability, and being easily scared are a few of the symptoms. People may experience depression or suicidal. The PTSD condition can cause issues at work, in relationships, and at home. It can also cause alcohol or drug dependence.
Psychotherapy can treat symptoms, like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. The medication helps to manage symptoms and make everyday activities more enjoyable.
Some studies explore ways to prevent PTSD. This includes looking at whether genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Others are exploring the ways in which a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it early.
It is important to see an expert if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to address the symptoms that hinder your daily life, such as difficulty relating to others, or feeling anger and frustrated. Certain people with PTSD require self-help methods by discussing their experiences in therapy or using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or exercise. They also benefit from sharing their anxieties with a trusted friend.
Depression
Depression can trigger feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated with psychotherapy, which involves speaking with an therapist about the issues which are causing you issues. There may also be medication, which can lift your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to change negative thoughts and behavior, while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are group therapy options that bring people with similar conditions together in a calming and supportive environment.
The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black Veterans for a long time, refusing disability claims in greater percentages 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 was filed by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful fight to overturn his less-than-honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit says that racial discrimination in the justice system of the military affected the discharge status of many Black service members and VA officials should have recognized this when they made disability compensation decisions. The lawsuit cites a study which found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared with 24.2 percent for white veterans.