Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
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veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for a large number of veterans suffering from disabilities as a result of their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical treatment and special programs.
According to a lawsuit filed on Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately having a harder time getting these benefits. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic.
PTSD
If people suffer from trauma it can lead them to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares, or disturbing flashbacks. This disorder can make the sufferer to avoid areas or situations that bring back memories of their trauma 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 support from loved ones.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and the Yale law clinic found that the Department of
veterans disability law firm Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black vets systematically over decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the veterans that VA internal documents reveal that Black veterans were denied benefits more often than their white counterparts.
The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics that show that between 2001 and 2020, the rate of rejection for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2% for white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. It also seeks to force the VA to reconsider the thousands of other claims that were incorrectly dismissed. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be mild, moderate or even severe and symptoms may be instantly apparent or they may develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Some symptoms (headache, dizziness, fatigue) are physical, whereas others may be related to emotions, memory, concentration or behavior issues. TBI patients might also experience difficulty moving or with balance and vision.
The brain's damage caused by a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt to the head regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to break which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may expand and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury can occur in the entire brain, or only one particular lobe.
Certain TBIs can be classified as closed while 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 can differ in severity from a concussion to an coma. People suffering from TBI are more at risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Some research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of developing dementia and other movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD develops when people suffer a trauma. The symptoms may manifest right after the event or years later. Memory problems, difficulties in sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger or irritability, and being easily triggered are a few of the symptoms. There are some who have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. PTSD can create problems at work, at home, and in relationships. It can also cause alcohol or drug addiction.
The symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and processing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants, such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. The medications can help manage the symptoms and help people get 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. Some researchers are investigating the ways in which a normal response to stress may turn into PTSD, and how it can be treated early.
It is crucial to visit your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. Symptoms that interfere with everyday life, like difficulty relating to people around you or feeling angry and irritable need to be addressed immediately. Some people with PTSD have the benefit of self-help, such as discussing their experiences in therapy or using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or rhythmic exercise. They can also benefit by being able share their fears with a trusted person.
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Depression is an illness that can trigger feelings of despair and sadness. It can be treated using psychotherapy, which involves talking with an expert therapist about the problems that are causing your problems. It could also involve medication, which can help improve your mood. There are a variety of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you modify negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring patients with similar conditions together in a safe and supportive setting.
The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for a long time, by disproportionately rejecting disability compensation claim at a higher rate than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who was who is a Vietnam War veteran who tried to obtain 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 fight to rescind his less-than-honorable discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit says that racial prejudice in the military justice system affected the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have been aware of this when making decision-making regarding disability compensation. It cites a study that found that between 2001 and 2020, the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5%, compared to 24.2% for white veterans.