Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A
veterans disability lawsuit could be a solution 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, such as medical treatment and specialty programs.
However, obtaining those benefits is disproportionately 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
PTSD symptoms can arise when someone is traumatized. The symptoms include anxiety, nightmares, or troubling flashbacks. This condition can make the sufferer to avoid places or situations that remind them of their traumatic experience. This can cause individuals to feel isolated and depressed. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can combat PTSD.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and the Yale law clinics has revealed 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 reports that a whistleblower informed the veterans that VA internal documents showed Black veterans were more often denied benefits than their white counterparts.
The lawsuit was brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that shows that from 2001 until 2020, the rejection rate for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were denied benefits. It also demands the VA to review hundreds of other claims that were wrongly dismissed. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms may be instantly apparent or may develop in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, fatigue, headache) are physical, while others can include emotional, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. People with TBI TBI may also experience difficulty moving around, or have problems with balance and vision.
TBIs can result from an TBI if the brain is damaged as a result of a bump or blow to the head. This can happen due to an injury that is blunt or from a penetrating injury (such as the impact of a bullet). The impact can cause the skull to break, causing bruising and bleeding of the brain within the skull. The brain can expand and press against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury can occur in the entire brain or a specific lobe.
Some TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification is determined by the extent to which the skull has been broken and whether or not the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs can vary in severity, ranging from a concussion to coma. People who suffer from TBIs are at an increased chance of developing depression and PTSD as well as other mental health problems. Certain studies suggest that having a number of moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of dementia and other movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, develops after people are traumatized. The symptoms can start immediately after the event has ended or even years later. Memory problems, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability and being easily triggered are a few of the symptoms. Some people may feel depressed or suicidal. The PTSD condition can cause issues at work, with 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) can be beneficial for those suffering from PTSD. The medications can help manage the symptoms and make it easier to get through everyday activities.
Certain studies examine ways to prevent PTSD. This includes studying whether genes and the brain may influence the way a person reacts to trauma. Others are investigating how a normal response to stress transforms into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.
If you suspect PTSD If you suspect PTSD, it is crucial to consult a doctor. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulties getting along with other people or feeling angry and annoyed should be addressed immediately. Some people with PTSD benefit from self-help, such as discussing their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or a rhythmic exercise. They may also benefit from sharing their fears with a trusted person.
Depression
Depression can lead to feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated with psychotherapy. It involves speaking with an therapist about the issues that are causing you problems. It may also include medication, which can help lift your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists to change negative thoughts and behaviors as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationship. There are also group therapies that bring people who have similar issues together in a supportive environment.
The lawsuit alleges that the VA discriminated against Black
veterans disability lawyer for a long time, refusing disability claims in greater percentages than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been trying to get medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for over 50 years. The lawsuit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful bid to overturn his less-than-honorable military discharge because of PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit asserts that racial discrimination in the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should've known this prior to making decisions regarding disability compensation. It cites a research study that discovered that between 2001 and 2020 the average rate of denial for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% for white veterans.