Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a
Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for many veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who have been in the military, including medical care and special programs.
However, getting those benefits is disproportionately difficult for Black veterans, as per a lawsuit filed on Monday. 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). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares or frightening flashbacks. This condition can cause the sufferer to avoid places or situations that trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can lead to isolation and depression. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling, medication and support from family members.
A lawsuit that was filed jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims made by Black veterans repeatedly over a long period of time. NPR's Quil Lawrence claims that a whistleblower has told the veterans that VA internal documents revealed that 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 refers to statistics that show that between 2001 to 2020, the rejection rate for Black
veterans disability law firm with disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for Monk and Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to make VA to reconsider tens of thousands of other claims that were denied 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. Some symptoms (headache, dizziness, fatigue) are physical, whereas others could be related to emotional, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. People with TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI might also have trouble moving around, or have problems with balance and vision.
TBIs can be caused by a TBI when the brain is damaged as a result of an injury or bump to the head. This could result from the force of a blunt blow or a penetrating trauma (such as an injury from a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to fracture and cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain then may swell, pushing against the skull and cutting off blood flow. The injury can affect the entire brain, or a specific lobe of the brain.
Certain TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is based on whether the skull is fractured or not, and whether the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs can differ in severity from a concussion up to a being in a coma. People with TBI are at increased risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Research suggests that having several moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders later on in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when the victim experiences trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event, or may develop years later. Memory problems, difficulty getting sleep and concentrating, or feelings of anger or irritability and being easily startled are some of the signs. Certain people may be depressed or suicidal. PTSD can cause problems at workplace, in relationships and at home. It can also lead to addiction, including the use of alcohol or drugs.
Symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants, for example as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors or SNRIs. Medications can help to manage symptoms and help people get through daily activities.
A few studies are looking at ways to prevent PTSD. This includes studying whether genes and the brain could influence the way a person reacts to a trauma. Others are investigating how a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.
It is essential to consult a physician if you suffer from PTSD. It is essential to deal with issues that impact your everyday life, such as difficulty in getting along with others, or feeling frustrated and angry. Some people with PTSD benefit from self-help by talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or doing a thumping exercise. They may also gain from being able to share their fears with a trusted individual.
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Depression can cause feelings of despair or sadness. Psychotherapy is a method to manage depression. This is when you talk to a professional about the problems you are experiencing. You may be prescribed medication to help improve your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you to modify negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same problem together in a safe and supportive setting.
The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for years, through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claims in a higher proportion than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, a Vietnam War veteran who tried to gain access to medical benefits such as housing aid and education benefits for 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful attempt to overturn his less-than-honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit says that racial prejudice in the justice system of the military affected the discharge status of numerous Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware this when they made disability compensation decisions. It cites a research study that found that between 2001 and 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5%, compared to 24.2% for white veterans.