5 Clarifications On Veterans Disability Lawyers
Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit
A lawsuit for veterans' disability could be the answer for a lot of veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from their military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits to those who served in the military, such as medical care and specialty programs.
However, getting those benefits is particularly difficult for Black veterans, as per a new lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk Jr. by Yale Law School's hendersonville veterans disability law firm Legal Services Clinic.
PTSD
If someone experiences trauma, it can cause them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety that cause anxiety. This condition can make a person avoid situations or places that trigger memories of their traumatic experience. This can cause individuals to feel isolated and depressed. Therapy, medication, and support from family members can help to treat PTSD.
A new lawsuit brought jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinic found 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 informed the veterans that VA internal documents revealed that 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 statistics showing that between 2001 to 2020, the rejection rate for Black veterans with disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% of white veterans.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Monk and Black veterans who were wrongfully denied benefits. It also demands the VA to review thousands of other claims that were incorrectly 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 evident or develop within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. Some signs (headache dizziness, fatigue, headache) are physical, while others may include memory, concentration, emotion or behavior issues. People with TBI may experience problems with their emotions, concentration, or even behavior. TBI may also have trouble moving around or with balance and vision.
TBIs can result from a TBI in the event that the brain has been damaged from the impact of a bump or a blow to the head. This can occur from an impact that is sharp or a penetrating wound (such as an injury from a bullet). The impact can cause the skull to fracture which causes bleeding and bruising of the brain within the skull. The brain could then swell and push against the skull and cutting off blood flow. The injury can occur in the entire brain or in one particular lobe.
Some TBIs are classified as open, while others are closed. The classification is based on whether or not the skull has been broken and whether or not the skull was opened or shut by the impact. TBIs can range in severity from a concussion all the way to a an coma. People suffering from TBI are at a higher risk of developing depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Some research suggests that having several moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of developing dementia and other movement disorders later in life.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after an individual experiences a trauma. Symptoms may appear immediately after the incident or a few years later. Memory problems, difficulties getting sleep and concentrating, or feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily scared are a few of the symptoms. Some people might experience depression or suicidal thoughts. The condition can cause problems at work, in the home and even in relationships. It can also trigger alcohol or drug addiction.
Psychotherapy can treat symptoms like eye movement desensitisation (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Certain people suffering from PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. The medications can help manage the symptoms and make it easier to get through everyday activities.
Some research is exploring how to prevent PTSD, including looking at the possibility that genes or the brain can influence a person's response to a trauma. Others are exploring how a normal response to stress develops into PTSD and how to treat it early.
It is crucial to visit your doctor if you suffer from PTSD. Any symptoms that impact your everyday life, like difficulties getting along with people around you or feeling angry and angry need to be addressed immediately. Self-help can be helpful for those suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from sharing their experiences in therapy, or engaging in relaxation exercises like deep breathing and rhythmic exercise. They may also gain from being able share their fears with a trusted friend.
Depression
Depression is a condition that can cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can be treated with psychotherapy, which is the process of talking with an expert therapist about the problems which are causing you issues. You could also be prescribed medication to improve your mood. There are several different types of psychotherapy. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists you overcome negative thoughts and behaviors as well as interpersonal therapy, which is focused on your relationship. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from similar conditions together in a calming and supportive environment.
The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for years, by denying 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 was filed by Yale Law School’s Porterville Veterans disability attorney Legal Services Clinic. Monk was represented in his successful bid to reverse his less-than honorable discharge from the military 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 VA officials should have known this prior to making decisions regarding disability compensation. It cites a research study that discovered that between 2001 and the year 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.