Veterans Disability Lawsuit (
moden126.mireene.com) - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who have served in the military, such as medical care and special programs.
However, obtaining these benefits isn't easy for Black veterans, according to a new lawsuit filed Monday. 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). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or troubling flashbacks. The condition can cause people to avoid certain locations or situations that trigger the traumatic event. This can lead to isolation and depression. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with the help of counseling, medication and support from family members.
A lawsuit that was filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has found that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been systematically denying disability compensation claims to Black veterans for decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower informed the veterans that VA internal documents show Black veterans were more often denied benefits than white veterans.
The lawsuit was brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics that show that from 2001 until 2020 the rejection rate for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2% for white
veterans disability attorneys.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied access to benefits. 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 on Wednesday.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be mild, moderate or serious and symptoms can be immediately evident or develop within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. There are physical symptoms (headache, fatigue and dizziness) and others are related to problems with memory, concentration, emotions or behavior. TBI patients may also experience trouble moving or having problems with balance and vision.
The brain's damage caused by a TBI can be caused through a hit, bump or jolt to the head, regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or a penetrating wound (such as from a gun). The impact could cause skull fracture, which may cause bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain can swell and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury may affect the entire brain or a particular lobe of the brain.
Some TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification depends on whether the skull has been damaged or not, as well as whether the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs can range in severity from concussion to coma. People who suffer from TBI are at greater risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health conditions. Certain studies suggest that having a number of 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 (PTSD) occurs after someone has suffered a trauma. The symptoms can begin immediately after the event ends or even years later. Memory problems, difficulty sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability and being easily startled are some of the symptoms. Some people might suffer from depression or suicidal ideas. 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. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for those suffering from PTSD. The medications can help manage the symptoms and aid in getting through everyday activities.
Certain studies examine ways to avoid PTSD. This involves examining whether genes and the brain can influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Others are exploring how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.
It is essential to consult your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. symptoms that affect your everyday life, like trouble getting along with others, or feeling angry or irritable need to be addressed immediately. Certain people with PTSD have the benefit of self-help like talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing methods of relaxation, such as deep breathing or rhythmic exercise. They may also benefit by being able to discuss their fears with a person they trust.
Here are some of the methods to lower your risk:
Depression is a condition that can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can be treated using psychotherapy, which is the process of talking with an therapist about the issues that cause you stress. You may be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are numerous types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you change your negative thoughts and behaviors while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people with similar conditions together in a supportive environment.
The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claims at a higher percentage than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been fighting for medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for more than 50 years. The suit is being filed by Yale Law School's
veterans disability attorney Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful fight to reverse his less than honorable military 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 that VA officials should've known this when making decisions about disability compensation. It cites research that found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2% for white veterans.