veterans disability lawyer Disability Lawsuit – How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A veterans disability lawsuit could be the answer for many veterans suffering from disabilities due to their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits to veterans, including medical care and programs for veterans.
However, obtaining these benefits is a lot more difficult for Black veterans, according to the latest lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic.
PTSD
If someone experiences trauma it can lead them to develop symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms include nightmares, anxiety or troubling flashbacks. The condition can also cause a person to avoid certain places or situations that remind them of the traumatic event. This could lead to depression and isolation. Counseling, medication and support from family members can help treat PTSD.
A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and Yale law clinics has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black veterans consistently over the course of decades. NPR’s Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the veterans that VA internal documents revealed that Black veterans were more often denied benefits than their white counterparts.
The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites data that shows that from 2001 to, the rate of rejection for Black disability claims was 29.5%, compared to 24.2 percent for white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks damages for compensation for Monk and other Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to force VA to reconsider tens of thousands of other claims that were wrongly denied. The lawsuit was filed in federal court this week.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms may be apparent immediately or manifest for days, hours or even weeks later. Some symptoms (headache dizziness, headache) are physical, while others can include emotional, memory, concentration or behavioral issues. People with TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI might also have difficulty getting around or having balance issues and vision.
The brain damage caused by a TBI can be caused by a blow, bump or jolt on the head, whether from a blunt force or penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact may cause the skull to fracture which can cause bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain can then expand pushing against the skull and reducing blood flow. The injury could affect the entire brain or a specific lobe in the brain.
Certain TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is determined by the extent to which the skull was fractured and whether the skull was open or closed due to the impact. TBIs can vary in severity ranging from a concussion up to a being in a coma. People suffering from TBI are at greater risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Certain studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the likelihood of developing dementia and movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a person experiences a trauma. The symptoms can manifest immediately following the event, or may develop years later. Memory problems, trouble in sleeping and concentrating, feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily startled are some of the symptoms. Some people may suffer from depression or suicidal ideas. PTSD can create problems at home, work and in relationships. It can also lead to alcohol or drug dependence.
Psychotherapy can help treat symptoms, like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Antidepressants, such as selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are beneficial to some sufferers of PTSD. Medications can help control the symptoms and help you get through everyday tasks.
Some research is investigating ways to stop PTSD and examining the possibility that genes or the brain can influence a person’s response to trauma. Others are investigating the ways in which a normal stress response transforms into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem.
It is crucial to visit an expert if you suffer from PTSD. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like trouble getting along with other people or feeling angry and irritable must be addressed quickly. Some people with PTSD can benefit from self-help techniques by talking about their experiences during therapy or practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or doing a thumping exercise. They also benefit from being able to talk about their anxieties with someone they trust.
The following are some of ways to reduce the risk of developing a rash:
Depression is an illness that can bring on feelings of despair and sadness. Psychotherapy is a method to treat depression. This involves talking to an expert about the issues you’re experiencing. It could also involve medication that can help lift your mood. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you change negative beliefs and habits, and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from similar ailments together in a supportive atmosphere.
The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black Veterans for a long time, refusing disability claims in greater percentages than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been fighting for medical benefits, housing benefits and education benefits for over 50 years. The suit is being filed by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful fight to reverse his less-than honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.
The lawsuit claims that racial discrimination in the military justice system impacted the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have known this when making decision-making regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit cites a study which found that, between 2001 and 2020 the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied to receive disability compensation was 29,5%, in contrast to 24,2% for white veterans.
