Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A lawsuit involving veterans' disabilities 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.

However, obtaining these benefits is particularly difficult for Black veterans, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.

PTSD

If someone experiences trauma it can lead them to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or disturbing flashbacks. The condition may also cause a person to avoid certain locations or situations that bring back memories of the trauma. This can lead to depression and isolation. Counseling, medication and the support from family members can in treating PTSD.

A lawsuit that was filed by Black veterans disability lawyer and a Yale law clinic has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has repeatedly denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans disability lawyer for decades. 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 brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics showing that between 2001 to 2020, the rejection rate for Black veterans with disability claims was rejected at 29.5% compared to only 24.2% of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to review tens of thousands of other claims which were incorrectly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court this week.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or serious and symptoms can be immediately apparent or they may develop within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, fatigue, headache) are physical, while others may be related to emotions, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. People suffering from TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI might also have difficulty moving around or with balance and vision.

TBIs can result from a TBI when the brain is damaged by the impact of a bump or a blow to the head. This can happen due to a blunt force, or from a penetrating injury (such as shooting). The impact may cause the skull to break which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may expand and press against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury can occur in the entire brain or in a specific lobe.

Some TBIs are classified as open while others are closed. The classification is determined by the extent to which the skull was fractured and whether the skull was shattered or opened due to the impact. TBIs can range in severity from a concussion all the way to a the coma. People with TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD develops when people undergo a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event or years later. Memory issues, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily shocked are some of the signs. People may experience depression or suicidal. PTSD can create problems at work, at home and even in relationships. It can also cause dependence, which includes the use of alcohol or drugs.

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

Some research is looking into ways to prevent PTSD, including looking at whether the brain or genes can affect a person's response to a trauma. Researchers are studying how 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. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulties in relating with other people or feeling angry and upset should be addressed immediately. Self-help may be helpful for those suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from sharing their experiences during therapy, or doing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also benefit from sharing their fears with a trusted friend.

Here are a few of the methods to lower your risk of getting sick:

Depression can lead to feelings of despair or sadness. Psychotherapy is one option to manage depression. This involves talking to a professional about the problems you are experiencing. You may also be prescribed medication to help improve your mood. There are numerous types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you to modify negative thoughts and behavior, while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people with the same problem together in a supportive environment.

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

The lawsuit claims that racial bias within the military justice system impacted the discharge status of a lot of Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware of this when they made decisions regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit cites a study which found that, between 2001 and 2020, the average denial rate of Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5% in contrast to 24,2 percent for white veterans.