Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

A veterans disability lawsuit could be the solution for many veterans who suffer from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, including medical treatment and special programs.

However, obtaining these benefits is a lot more difficult for Black veterans, according to a new lawsuit filed on Monday. The Yale Law School veterans disability attorneys Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr.

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can manifest when traumatized people suffer. The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares, or disturbing flashbacks. This condition can cause an individual to avoid certain areas or situations that bring back memories of their trauma experience. This can cause a sense of isolation and depression. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication as well as the support of loved ones.

A new lawsuit 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 vets for decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower informed 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 with disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent of white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and Black veterans who were wrongfully denied benefits. It also seeks to force the VA to reconsider hundreds of other claims that were incorrectly dismissed. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI symptoms can be immediate or may develop for hours, days or even weeks later. Some signs (headache, dizziness, fatigue) are physical, whereas others could be related to emotional, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. People with TBI TBI may also have trouble getting around or with balance and vision.

The brain's damage due to a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt on the head, whether it's from a force that is blunt or penetrating wound (such as from a shot). The impact can cause skull fracture that can result in bleeding and bruises of the brain inside the skull. The brain may swell and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury could happen to the entire brain or in the lobe in which it is located.

Some TBIs are classified as open while others are closed. The classification is based on whether the skull has been fractured or not and on whether the skull was opened or closed by the impact. TBIs can differ in severity from a concussion up to a coma. People with TBIs are at a higher chance of developing depression or PTSD, as well as other mental health problems. Certain studies suggest that having a number of moderate to severe TBIs could increase the risk of dementia and movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when an individual experiences a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event or even years after. Memory problems, difficulties getting sleep and concentrating, or feelings of anger or irritability and being easily scared are a few of the signs. Some people may feel depressed or suicidal. PTSD can cause issues at workplace, in relationships and at home. It can also cause alcohol or drug dependence.

Psychotherapy can treat symptoms, such as eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants, such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial for some people with PTSD. The medications help manage symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.

Some studies explore ways to avoid PTSD. This involves examining whether genes and the brain may affect a person's response to trauma. Other researchers are looking into how a normal stress response transforms into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem.

It is crucial to visit a doctor if you have PTSD. Any symptoms that impact your everyday life, like difficulty relating to people around you or feeling angry and irritable, should be addressed promptly. Self-help can be beneficial for some people with PTSD. They could benefit from talking about their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They may also benefit from being able to share their anxieties with someone they trust.

The following are the methods to lower your risk:

Depression can lead to feelings of despair or sadness. Psychotherapy is one way to treat depression. It involves speaking with an expert about the issues you are experiencing. There may also be medications that can help boost your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you to change negative thoughts and behavior, while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are group therapies that bring people suffering from similar ailments together in a supportive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claims at a higher percentage than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been fighting for medical benefits in the form of housing, educational and medical benefits for more than 50 years. The lawsuit is being handled by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented during his successful fight to rescind his less than honorable military discharge because of PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the justice system of the military affected the discharge status of a number of Black service members, and VA officials should have been aware this when making the decisions on disability compensation. The lawsuit refers to a study that revealed that, between 2001 and 2020, the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29,5% in contrast to 24,2% for white veterans.