10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Veterans Disability Lawyers

Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a veterans disability attorney Disability Lawsuit

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

According to a lawsuit filed Monday, Black veterans have disproportionately more difficulty getting 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 arise when traumatized people suffer. Symptoms include anxiety, nightmares or disturbing flashbacks. This disorder can make an individual to avoid certain places or situations that remind them of their traumatic experience. This can cause depression and isolation. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication as well as the support of family members.

A new lawsuit jointly filed by Black veterans and Yale law clinics found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims of Black vets systematically over decades. Quil Lawrence of NPR reports that a VA whistleblower told the veterans that VA documents showed that Black veterans disability lawsuits were denied benefits at a higher rate than white veterans.

The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites figures showing that between 2001 and 2020, the percentage for Black veterans' disability claims was rejected at 29.5 percent compared to 24.2 percent of 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 reassess hundreds 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 in the hours or even weeks following the injury. Some signs (headache, dizziness, fatigue) are physical, while others can include emotions, memory, concentration or behavior issues. TBI patients might also experience difficulties moving or with vision and balance.

TBIs can result from an TBI when the brain is damaged from a blow or bump to the head. This can happen due to the force of a blunt blow or a penetrating wound (such as a bullet). The impact may cause the skull to break which causes bleeding and bruising of the brain inside the skull. The brain may swell and push against the skull, cutting off blood circulation. The injury can occur in the entire brain or the lobe in which it is located.

Some TBIs are classified as open and some are closed. The classification is determined by whether or not the skull has been broken and whether or not the skull was closed or opened due to the impact. TBIs range in severity, from concussions all the way to coma. People with TBIs have a higher risk of developing depression and PTSD as well as other mental health problems. Research suggests that having multiple moderate to severe TBIs could increase the chance of developing dementia and other movement issues in later life.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is a condition that occurs after people suffer a trauma. The symptoms can begin when the event ends or a few years later. Memory problems, trouble concentrating and sleeping, Veterans Disability Lawsuit feelings of anger or irritability as well as being easily shocked are some of the signs. Certain people may have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. PTSD can cause problems at work, at home and even in relationships. It can also lead to addiction, including alcohol or drug.

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 to some sufferers of PTSD. The medications help manage symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable.

A few studies are looking at ways to avoid PTSD. This includes looking at whether genes and the brain could affect a person's response to trauma. Others are exploring how a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it in the early stages.

If you suspect PTSD It is essential to seek out a medical professional. The symptoms that hinder your daily life, such as difficulty relating to other people or feeling angry and annoyed must be addressed quickly. Self-help can be helpful for some people with PTSD. They could benefit from talking about their experiences in therapy, or practicing relaxation exercises like deep breathing or a tempo-based exercise. They may also benefit by being able to discuss their fears with someone they trust.

Depression

Depression can cause feelings of despair or sadness. It can be treated with psychotherapy, which involves talking with an expert therapist about the problems which are causing you issues. It may also involve medications that can help lift your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy aids you change negative thoughts and behavior, while interpersonal therapy focuses on relationships. There are also group therapies that bring people suffering from the same issue together in a calming and supportive environment.

The lawsuit asserts that the VA has discriminated against Black veterans for decades through a disproportionate refusal of disability compensation claim at a higher rate than white veterans. It was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, a Vietnam War veteran who tried to access medical benefits, housing assistance and education benefits for 50 years. The suit was filed by Yale Law School's Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which represented Monk in his successful attempt to rescind his less-than-honorable discharge due to PTSD and other injuries.

The lawsuit asserts that racial bias in the justice system for military personnel impacted the discharge status of numerous Black service members and VA officials should have been aware this prior to making decision-making regarding disability compensation. The lawsuit refers to a study that discovered that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average rate of denials for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29,5%, against 24,2 percent for white veterans.