3 Ways That The Veterans Disability Lawyers Influences Your Life

Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit

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

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more difficulty obtaining these benefits. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic.

PTSD

PTSD symptoms can manifest when people are traumatized. The symptoms can include anxiety, nightmares, or troubling flashbacks. The condition can cause people to avoid certain places or situations that trigger the traumatic event. This can cause depression and isolation. Counseling, medication and the support from family members can help treat PTSD.

A lawsuit that was filed by Black veterans and a Yale law clinic has revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently denied disability compensation claims to Black veterans for a long time. NPR's Quil Lawrence says that a whistleblower revealed to the veterans that VA internal documents revealed that Black veterans were denied benefits more frequently than white veterans.

The lawsuit was brought by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley Monk and Yale's veterans disability lawyer Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites research that indicates that from 2001 until 2020, the rate of rejection for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, compared with 24.2 percent for white veterans.

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

Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can be mild, moderate or severe and symptoms may be instantly evident or develop hours or even weeks after the injury. Some of the symptoms are physical (headache fatigue, dizziness and headache) while others include problems with memory and concentration, as well as emotional behavior. People suffering from TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI might also have difficulty moving around, or have problems with balance and vision.

The damage to the brain from a TBI can be caused through a hit, bump or jolt to the head, regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or a penetrating injury (such as from a gun). The impact can cause the skull to break which causes bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may expand and push against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury could be affecting the entire brain or a specific lobe in the brain.

Certain TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification depends on whether the skull has been damaged or not, as well as whether the skull was opened or closed due to the impact. TBIs can range in severity from a concussion all the way to a the coma. People who suffer from TBIs have a higher chance of developing depression or PTSD, as well as other mental health problems. Certain studies suggest that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs may increase the risk of developing dementia and other movement disorders later in life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD develops when people undergo a trauma. The symptoms may manifest right after the incident or a few years later. Memory issues, trouble sleep and concentration, feelings of anger or irritability, and being easily triggered are a few of the symptoms. Some people might suffer from depression or suicidal ideas. The condition can cause problems at work, home and in relationships. It can also lead to alcohol or drug dependence.

The symptoms can be treated using psychotherapy, including eye movements desensitisation and processing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Some people suffering from PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants, for example as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors or SNRIs. The medications can help manage the symptoms and make it easier to get through daily activities.

Some research is investigating ways to stop PTSD by examining the possibility that genes or the brain may affect a person's reaction to trauma. Researchers are looking into how a normal reaction to stress can turn into PTSD and how to treat it early.

It is important to see your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. Symptoms that interfere with everyday life, like trouble getting along with people around you or feeling angry and irritable need to be addressed immediately. Self-help can be beneficial for some people with PTSD. They may benefit from sharing their experiences in therapy or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They also benefit from being able share their fears with a trusted person.

The following are some of ways to reduce your risk:

Depression is an illness that can bring on feelings of sadness and despair. It can be treated with psychotherapy, which is the process of talking with an expert therapist about the problems which are causing you issues. It could also involve medications that can help boost your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which aids you change negative beliefs and habits and interpersonal therapy which focuses on your relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same problem together in a supportive environment.

The lawsuit claims that the VA discriminated against Black Veterans for decades by declining disability claims in a higher percentage than white veterans. It was filed on behalf of Conley Monk who is who is a Vietnam War veteran who tried to obtain medical benefits as well as housing assistance and education benefits for over 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful fight to overturn his less-than-honorable military discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit claims that racial discrimination within the military justice system impacted the discharge status of Black service members and VA officials should have known this when deciding on disability compensation. The lawsuit cites a study which found that between 2001 and 2020 the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29,5% as opposed to 24,2% for white veterans.