Veterans Disability Lawsuit – How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A lawsuit for disability claims by veterans could be the solution for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who been in the military, such as medical care and special programs.
However, obtaining these benefits is particularly difficult for Black veterans, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic.
PTSD
PTSD symptoms can manifest when people are traumatized. The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or flashbacks that are disturbing. This condition can cause an individual to avoid certain situations or places that bring back memories of their trauma experience. This can cause a sense of isolation and depression. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication, as well as support from loved ones.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims for Black vets systematically over decades. NPR’s Quil Lawrence says that a whistleblower revealed to 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 statistics showing that between 2001 and 2020, the rate for Black veterans who filed disability claims was rejected at 29.5% compared to only 24.2 percent of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for Monk and Black veterans disability attorneys who were denied benefits unfairly. The lawsuit also seeks to oblige VA to reconsider 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 severe and symptoms may be instantly apparent or they may develop in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Certain symptoms (headache dizziness, fatigue, headache) are physical, whereas others may include emotions, memory, concentration or behavior issues. TBI patients might also experience trouble moving or having problems with balance and vision.
TBIs can result from a TBI when the brain is damaged as a result of a blow or bump to the head. It can be caused by the force of a blunt blow or a penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact can cause skull fracture, which can lead to bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain may then swell pushing against the skull and reducing blood flow. The injury could occur throughout the entire brain or one lobe.
Certain TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification is determined by whether or not the skull has been fractured and whether or not the skull was shattered or opened due to the impact. TBIs are a variety of severity, from concussions up to death. Patients with TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders later on in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when the victim experiences trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event, or may develop years later. They could include memory problems, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability, and being easily scared or jittery. Some 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 addiction, which can include alcohol or other drugs.
The symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, Veterans disability lawyer including eye movements desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Some people with PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants, for example as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. Medications can help control the symptoms and help you get through everyday activities.
A few studies are looking at ways to avoid PTSD. This includes looking at whether genes and the brain could affect a person’s response to a trauma. Other researchers are looking into how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.
If you suspect PTSD, it is important to see a doctor. symptoms that affect your daily life, veterans disability lawyer such as difficulty relating to other people or feeling angry and irritable should be addressed immediately. Self-help can be beneficial for people suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from talking about their experiences during therapy, or engaging in relaxation exercises like deep breathing and rhythmic exercises. They may also benefit from being able to share their fears with someone they trust.
Depression
Depression can cause feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated through psychotherapy. It involves speaking with an experienced therapist about the issues that cause you stress. It could also involve medication, which can boost your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you alter negative thoughts and behaviors while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from similar conditions together in a safe and supportive setting.
The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by denying disability compensation claim at a higher rate than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been fighting for medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for more than 50 years. The lawsuit is being handled by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented during his successful fight to rescind his less than honorable discharge from the military due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the military justice system affected the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should have known this prior to making decisions regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit cites a study that revealed that, between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate of Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5% against 24,2% for white veterans disability lawyer.