Veterans Disability Lawsuit - How to File a Veterans Disability Lawsuit A lawsuit for veterans' disability could be the answer for many veterans who suffer 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, obtaining those benefits isn't easy for Black veterans, as per a new lawsuit filed on Monday. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic filed the suit on behalf of Conley M. Monk Jr. PTSD If someone experiences trauma, it can cause them to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms could include anxiety, nightmares or flashbacks that cause anxiety. This disorder can make the sufferer to avoid areas or situations that are reminiscent of their painful experience. This can lead to isolation and depression. The good news is that PTSD can be managed with counseling and medication, as well as support from loved ones. A new lawsuit filed jointly by Black veterans and Yale law clinics found that the Department of Veterans Affairs denied disability compensation claims for Black vets systematically over decades. NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that a whistleblower told the vets that VA internal documents show Black veterans were more often denied benefits than white veterans. The lawsuit was filed by Marine Vietnam veteran Conley monk and Yale's Veterans Legal Services Clinic. The lawsuit cites statistics that show that from 2001 to 2020, the rejection rate for Black disability claims was 29.5 percent, compared to 24.2% for white veterans. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damage for Monk and Black veterans who were unfairly denied benefits. The lawsuit also seeks to oblige VA to reassess tens of thousands of claims that were denied in error. The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court. Traumatic Brain Injury TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe and symptoms may become visible or they may appear within a few hours or even weeks after the injury. Certain symptoms are physical (headache dizziness, fatigue, and headache) while others can be associated with issues with memory, concentration, emotions or behavior. TBI patients may also experience problems with movement or vision and balance. The brain injury caused by a TBI can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, regardless of whether it was caused by a sharp force or a penetrating wound (such as from a shot). The impact could cause skull fracture, which can lead to bleeding and bleeding of the brain within the skull. The brain may expand and press against the skull, causing blood circulation. The injury may affect the whole brain or a specific lobe of the brain. Some TBIs can be classified as closed while others as open. The classification is based on whether or not the skull was fractured and whether or not the skull was opened or shut by the impact. TBIs vary in severity, ranging from concussions all the way to death. People who suffer from TBIs have a higher risk of developing depression and PTSD and other mental health issues. Research suggests that having several moderate to severe TBIs can increase the risk of developing dementia and movement disorders later on in life. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs when a person experiences a trauma. The symptoms can manifest at the time that the event is over or even years later. They can include memory problems as well as difficulty in concentrating and sleeping, feelings of anger and irritability, and being easily startled or jittery. Some people might have suicidal or depression-related thoughts. The PTSD condition can cause issues at work, with relationships, and at home. It can also cause dependence, which includes the use of alcohol or drugs. Symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, including eye movement desensitisation and processing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy. Some people with PTSD benefit from taking antidepressants, for example as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. The medication helps to manage symptoms and make daily activities more enjoyable. Some research examines how to prevent PTSD. This includes studying whether the brain and genes influence a person's reaction to a trauma. Others are exploring how a normal stress response develops into PTSD and how to treat it before it becomes a problem. It is important to see a doctor if you have PTSD. The symptoms that hinder your everyday life, like difficulties getting along with people around you or feeling angry and irritable should be addressed immediately. Self-help can be beneficial for people suffering from PTSD. They could benefit from sharing their experiences in therapy, or performing relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and rhythmic exercises. They may also benefit by being able to discuss their fears with a person they trust. Depression Depression is an illness that can bring on feelings of sadness and despair. It can be treated through psychotherapy. It involves speaking with an therapist about the issues that are causing your problems. It may also include medications that can help lift your mood. There are many different types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists you to modify negative thoughts and behavior while interpersonal therapy is focused on relationships. There are group therapy options that bring people who have similar issues together in a calming and supportive environment. The lawsuit alleges that the VA discriminated against Black Veterans for decades by refusing disability claims in greater percentages than white veterans. Conley Monk is a Vietnam War veteran, who has been battling to receive medical benefits as well as housing and education benefits for more than 50 years. The suit is being 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 discrimination in the military justice system affected the discharge status of Black service members, and that VA officials should have known this when deciding on disability compensation. It cites a study that discovered that between 2001 and the year 2020, the average denial rate for Black veterans who applied for disability compensation was 29.5 percent, compared with 24.2 percent for white veterans.