Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for many veterans who suffer from disabilities as a result of their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who have served in the military, including medical treatment and specialty programs.
According to a lawsuit filed on 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
If someone experiences trauma they may be prone to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety that are disturbing. This condition can cause a person avoid situations or places that bring back memories of their trauma experience. This can lead individuals to feel isolated and depressed. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can help 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 informed the veterans 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 law firms Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics that show that from 2001 to 2020 the rate of rejection for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to review tens of thousands of other claims which were wrongly denied. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms can be immediate or manifest for days, hours or even weeks later. Some signs (headache dizziness, headache) are physical, while others may be related to emotions, memory, concentration or behavior problems. People with TBI TBI may also have trouble getting around or with balance and vision.
TBIs can result from a TBI in the event that the brain has been damaged from a bump or blow to the head. It can be caused by a blunt force, or a penetrating trauma (such as shooting). The impact may cause the skull to break and cause bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain can swell and press against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury can affect the entire brain, or a specific lobe in the brain.
Certain TBIs can be classified as closed and others as open. The classification is determined by whether or not the skull has been broken and whether the skull was closed or opened by the impact. TBIs are a variety of severity, from concussions all the way to coma. People suffering from TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of dementia and movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after someone has suffered a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the incident or a few years later. They may include memory issues difficulties sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger and irritability and being easily scared or jittery. Some people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. PTSD can cause problems at work, home and even in relationships. It can also lead to alcohol or drug addiction.
The symptoms can be treated using psychotherapy, which includes eye movement desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. Medications can help control the symptoms and help you get through everyday activities.
Some research examines how to prevent PTSD. This involves examining whether genes and the brain may influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Others are exploring how a normal response to stress changes into PTSD and how to treat it early.
It is vital to see your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to deal with issues that affect your daily life such as difficulty in getting along with others, or being annoyed and frustrated. Certain people suffering from PTSD require self-help methods by talking about their experiences during therapy or utilizing methods of relaxation, such as deep breathing or a rhythmic exercise. They may also gain by being able to discuss their fears with someone they trust.
Here are some of the methods to lower your risk:
Depression can lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Psychotherapy is one option to manage depression. This is when you talk to a professional about the problems you are experiencing. You could also be prescribed medication to help improve your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you overcome negative beliefs and habits, and interpersonal therapy, which concentrates on your relationships. There are group therapy options that bring people suffering from similar conditions together in a positive environment.
The lawsuit alleges 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 fighting for medical benefits including housing, education and housing 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 effort to reverse his less-than honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit claims that racial prejudice in the military justice system affected the discharge status of a number of Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware of this when they made decisions regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit refers to a study that found that between 2001 and 2020, the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5%, in contrast to 24,2% for white veterans.