Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

For many veterans suffering disabilities caused by their military service, a veterans disability lawsuit might be the solution. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, such as medical treatment and special programs.

However, obtaining these benefits is particularly difficult for Black veterans, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic.

PTSD

When people experience trauma it can lead them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms include anxiety, nightmares, or frightening flashbacks. This disorder can make a person avoid areas or situations that bring back memories of their trauma experience. This can cause people to feel lonely and depressed. The good news is that PTSD can be treated with the help of counseling and medication, as well as 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 disability lawyers that VA internal documents showed 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 research that indicates that between 2001 and 2020 the rejection rate for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2% for white veterans.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied access to benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to review tens or thousands of other claims which were denied in error. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or serious and symptoms can be immediately visible or they may appear hours or even weeks after the injury. Some of the symptoms are physical (headache fatigue, dizziness and headache) while others may be related to issues with memory focus, emotions, or behavior. People suffering from TBI TBI may also have trouble getting around or with balance and vision.

TBIs can be caused by an TBI in the event that the brain has been damaged by a bump or blow to the head. This can occur from a blunt force, or a penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact could cause the skull to break and cause bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain can expand and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury could affect the entire brain or a particular lobe of the brain.

Certain TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is based on whether the skull has been fractured or not and on whether the skull was closed or opened by the impact. TBIs can range in severity from a concussion to coma. People who suffer from TBIs are more at risk chance of developing depression or PTSD, as well as other mental health conditions. A few studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the chance of developing dementia and movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD is a condition that occurs after people suffer a trauma. The symptoms can begin as soon as the event has ended or even years later. Memory problems, difficulties concentrating and sleeping, feelings of anger or irritability, and being easily scared are a few of the signs. Certain people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. Stress can cause issues at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also trigger alcohol or drug addiction.

It is possible to treat symptoms with psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants like selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can be beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. The medications can help manage the symptoms and help you get through everyday tasks.

Some research examines how to avoid PTSD. This includes studying whether genes and the brain can affect a person's response to a trauma. Others are exploring how a normal stress response transforms into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.

If you suspect PTSD It is essential to speak with a doctor. It is essential to deal with issues that impact your daily life, such as difficulty getting along with others, or being frustrated and angry. Self-help can be beneficial for some people with PTSD. They may benefit from talking about their experiences during therapy or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They can also benefit from being able to share their anxieties with someone they trust.

The following are some of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting a disease:

Depression can lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Psychotherapy is one method to combat depression. This is when you talk to a professional about the problems you're experiencing. You could also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are a variety of types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you change negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people with the same problem together in a supportive setting.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades by rejecting disability compensation claims at a higher rate than white veterans. It was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who is who is a Vietnam War veteran who tried to gain access to medical benefits as well as housing assistance and education benefits for 50 years. The lawsuit is being filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented during his successful fight to overturn his less-than-honorable discharge from the military because of PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit claims that racial bias in the military justice system impacted 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 cites a study which found that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, as compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.