Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A lawsuit involving veterans' disabilities could be the solution for a large number of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who been in the military, including medical care and special programs.
According to a lawsuit filed on Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately having a harder time obtaining these benefits. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.
PTSD
When someone is traumatized they may be prone to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can manifest as panic, nightmares, flashbacks or other symptoms that cause anxiety. This condition can cause people to avoid places or situations which trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can cause a sense of depression and isolation. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with the help of counseling and medication as well as the support of loved ones.
A new lawsuit brought jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinics has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black veterans repeatedly over a long period of time. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower informed the veterans that VA documents showed that Black veterans were denied benefits at a higher percentage than their white counterparts.
The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that show that between 2001 and 2020, the rate for Black veterans of disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black
veterans disability lawyers who were denied benefits. It also aims to force the VA to reconsider the claims of thousands of other veterans who were wrongly dismissed. 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. Certain symptoms are physical (headache, fatigue and dizziness) while others may be related to issues with memory and concentration, emotional or behavior. TBI patients might also experience problems with movement or balance and vision.
TBIs can result from the occurrence of a TBI in the event that the brain has been damaged from the impact of a bump or a blow to the head. This can happen due to an impact that is sharp or from a penetrating injury (such as a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to fracture, causing bruising and bleeding of the brain inside the skull. The brain then may swell pushing against the skull and reducing blood flow. The injury may affect the entire brain, or a particular lobe of the brain.
Some TBIs can be classified as closed and others as open. The classification depends on whether the skull was fractured or not and on whether the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs vary in severity, ranging from concussions to fatal coma. Patients with TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. A few studies suggest that having several moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing 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 may manifest right after the incident or a few years later. Memory issues, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability and being easily startled are some of the symptoms. Some people may experience depression or suicidal. PTSD can cause problems at work, at home, and even in relationships. It can also lead to addiction, which can include alcohol or other drugs.
The symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors or SNRIs. These medications can help control symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.
Some research examines how to prevent PTSD. This involves examining whether genes and the brain could influence a person's reaction to trauma. Other studies are looking at how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it early.
If you suspect PTSD, it is important to seek out a medical professional. symptoms that affect your daily life, such as trouble getting along with people around you or feeling angry and irritable, should be addressed promptly. Certain people suffering from PTSD can benefit from self-help techniques by sharing their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or exercise. They can also benefit from being able to talk about their anxieties with someone they trust.
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Depression is a condition that can cause feelings of sadness and despair. It can be treated using psychotherapy, which involves speaking with an therapist about the issues that are causing your problems. It may also include medication that can help improve your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, which aids you change negative beliefs and habits as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationships. There are group therapies that bring people suffering from similar ailments together in a supportive atmosphere.
The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black Veterans for a long time, declining disability claims in an increased rate than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to get medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for over 50 years. The lawsuit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful effort to rescind his unhonorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the military justice system affected the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have been aware of this prior to making disability compensation decisions. The lawsuit cites a study which found that between 2001 and 2020 the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5% against 24,2% for white veterans.