Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a
Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A
veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from 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 trouble obtaining these benefits. 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 traumatized people suffer. It can manifest as flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety that are disturbing. The condition may cause people to avoid certain places or situations that bring back memories of the traumatic event. This can cause a sense of depression and isolation. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with the help of counseling, medication and support from loved ones.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and Yale law clinics revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black veterans repeatedly over a long period of time. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower informed the vets that VA internal documents reveal that Black veterans were denied benefits more frequently than white veterans.
The lawsuit was brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that show that between 2001 between 2001 and 2020, the average rate for Black veterans who filed disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2% of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for Monk and Black veterans who were wrongfully denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to reconsider tens of thousands of claims that were wrongly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court this week.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe and symptoms may be instantly apparent or they may develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Certain symptoms (headache dizziness, headache) are physical, while others can include memory, concentration, emotion or behavioral issues. People suffering from a TBI might also have difficulty moving around, or have problems with balance and vision.
The brain's damage from a TBI can be caused by a bump, a blow or jolt on the head, regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or a penetrating injury (such as a bullet). The impact can result in a skull fracture, which may cause bleeding and swelling of the brain within the skull. The brain could then swell, pushing against the skull, causing a cut in blood flow. The injury could occur throughout the entire brain or in one lobe.
Some TBIs can be classified as closed and others as open. The classification is dependent on whether or not the skull was fractured and whether or not the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs can vary in severity, ranging from a concussion up to a being in a coma. People suffering from TBI are at increased risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs may increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders in later life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, develops after people are traumatized. Symptoms may appear immediately after the incident or a few years later. Memory problems, difficulty in sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily shocked are some of the symptoms. There are some who experience depression or suicidal thoughts. Stress can cause issues at work, in relationships and at home. It can also lead alcohol or drug dependence.
Psychotherapy can treat symptoms, such as eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and 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 daily activities.
Some studies explore ways to avoid PTSD. This includes examining how genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to a trauma. Researchers are studying the ways in which a normal response to stress can develop into PTSD and how it can be treated early.
It is crucial to visit a physician if you suffer from PTSD. Symptoms that interfere with everyday life, like difficulties getting along with others or feeling angry and angry, should be addressed promptly. Some people with PTSD can benefit from self-help techniques by talking about their experiences during therapy or using relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or a rhythmic exercise. They can also benefit by being able share their fears with a trusted person.
Depression
Depression is a condition that can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Psychotherapy is a method to combat depression. It involves speaking with a professional about the problems you're experiencing. There may also be medication that can help lift your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you change negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring patients with the same problem together in a calming and supportive environment.
The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claim at a higher percentage than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to obtain medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for more than 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful fight to rescind his less-than-honorable discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit asserts that racial prejudice in the military justice system affected the discharge status of many Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware this when they made decisions regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit refers to a study that found that between 2001 and 2020 the average denial rate of Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5%, against 24,2% for white veterans.