Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for many veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who been in the military, such as medical treatment and specialty programs.
However, obtaining those benefits isn't easy 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
PTSD symptoms can manifest when traumatized people suffer. These symptoms could include flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety that are disturbing. The condition can also cause a person to avoid certain places or situations that bring back memories of the traumatic event. This can lead people to feel lonely and depressed. Counseling, medication and the support from family members can help in treating PTSD.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and Yale law clinics found that the Department of
Veterans Disability Lawyers Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black vets systematically over decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence claims that a whistleblower has told the vets that VA internal documents showed Black veterans were denied benefits more often than white veterans.
The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites figures showing that between 2001 and 2020, the percentage for Black veterans' disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were denied benefits unfairly. It also seeks to force the VA to review the claims of thousands of other veterans who were dismissed in error. The lawsuit was filed in federal court earlier this week.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms can be acute or may develop for hours, days or even weeks later. There are physical symptoms (headache fatigue, dizziness and headache) and others are related to problems with memory and concentration, emotional or behavior. TBI patients might also experience difficulty moving or with balance and vision.
The damage to the brain due to a TBI can be caused through a hit, bump or jolt on the head, regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or penetrating wound (such as from a shot). The impact could 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 cutting off blood flow. The injury could happen to the entire brain or the lobe in which it is located.
Certain TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is determined by whether or not the skull was fractured and whether or not the skull was open or closed by the impact. TBIs can differ in severity from a concussion all the way to a being in a coma. People who suffer from TBI are at increased risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Some research suggests that having a number of moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of dementia and other movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when an individual experiences a trauma. The symptoms can manifest immediately following the event, or may develop years later. They may include memory problems difficulties with concentration and sleep, a feeling of anger and irritability and being easily shocked or jittery. Some people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. PTSD can cause issues at work, at home and in relationships. It can also lead to addiction, such as alcohol or drug.
Symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. Medications help to control symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.
A few studies are looking at ways to stop PTSD as well as examining whether the brain or genes can affect the way a person reacts to a trauma. Other researchers are looking into how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem.
If you suspect PTSD If you suspect PTSD, it is crucial to consult a doctor. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulty relating to others, or feeling angry or upset need to be addressed immediately. Self-help is a great option for those suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from talking about their experiences in therapy or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also gain from sharing their anxieties with someone they trust.
The following are some of the ways to decrease your risk of getting sick:
Depression is a condition that can cause feelings of despair and sadness. Psychotherapy is a method to treat depression. It involves speaking with an expert about the issues you're experiencing. It may also include medication that can help lift your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you change negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same issue together in a calming and supportive environment.
The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for a long time, by rejecting disability compensation claims in a higher proportion 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 rescind his less-than-honorable discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit claims that racial discrimination within the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members and VA officials should have known this when making decisions about disability compensation. It cites research that found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% for white
veterans disability lawyer.