Veterans Disability Lawsuits - Why You Need a Lawyer Who is Accredited to Handle Veterans Disability Lawsuits Attorneys who exploit disabled veterans to make money frequently use their benefits. You need an attorney who is certified to handle VA claims. A Connecticut veteran who suffered from schizophrenia post-traumatic disorders, schizophrenia and other mental disorders related to an aircraft carrier crash that claimed the lives of dozens has a huge victory. But it comes with a substantial cost. Class Action Settlement According to a lawsuit filed on Monday in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs discriminates against Black veterans by refusing their disability claims in a manner that is much higher than white veterans. Conley Monk, a 74-year-old Marine Corps veteran who served in the Vietnam War, is the plaintiff in the lawsuit. According to the records obtained by Monk and the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic and Monk claims that the VA denied his disability claim at a much higher rate than white veterans over the past three decades. Monk who is a retired psychiatric nurse, claims that the discrimination of the VA has caused him and other black veterans to suffer in ways that have affected their health, homes work, education and employment. Monk wants the VA to pay him back the benefits that it has denied him, and to modify their policies regarding race, discharge status, and denial rates. Last year, Monk and the Veterans Legal Services Clinic obtained 20 years of VA disability compensation claim data by way of Freedom of Information Act requests that they made on behalf of the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress and the Black Veterans Project. The data revealed that Black Veterans were statistically less likely to be granted a claim for disability than white veterans from 2001 until 2020. The average denial rate for black veterans was 6.3 percent higher than white veterans. Discrimination based on PTSD The Veterans Affairs Department systematically denies disability benefits to Black veterans, according to the lawsuit filed on Monday. The suit is filed by an ex- Marine Corps veteran who was denied housing as well as education benefits for years, even though he suffered from undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The suit cites evidence to show that VA officials have historically disproportionately rejected claims filed by Black veterans. Conley Monk volunteered to serve in the Marines during the Vietnam War, driving a bullet-riddled transport vehicle and helping to transport troops and equipment to combat zones. Monk was eventually involved in two fights with fellow Marines who he blamed for his PTSD and was given an unhonorable military discharge in 1971. That "bad paper" did not allow him to get the home loan, tuition assistance and other benefits. He filed a lawsuit against the military in order to reverse his discharge. He was awarded full benefits in 2015 and 2020. He claims that the VA is liable for past denials of disability benefits. He also suffered significant emotional trauma from reliving some of his most traumatizing memories through each application and re-application, the suit claims. The lawsuit seeks financial damages and seeks the court to order the VA to examine its systemic PTSD discrimination. The lawsuit is the latest attempt by groups like the ACLU and Service Women's Action Network, to pressure the VA into addressing the discrimination it has suffered for years against victims of sexual assault. Alimony Discrimination The veterans who were in uniform or accompanied them, ought to be aware of the truth about veterans disability benefits and their impact on divorce financial issues. One of the biggest myths is that veterans may have their VA compensation seized in order to pay alimony or child support orders in state courts. This is simply not true. Congress carefully designed the law found in Title 38, U.S. Code, to protect veterans' benefits from claims of family members and creditors in the case of alimony or child support. Conley Monk, who volunteered for his country, served two years in Vietnam driving bulletproof transport vehicles and moving equipment and troops out of combat zones. He received several medals for his service, but he was later acquitted of a less honorable discharge when he got into two fights that were caused by undiagnosed PTSD. It was a long and lengthy process to get the VA to accept disability compensation. He was denied access at the rate of significantly more than his white peers. This discrimination against blacks was widespread and widespread, according to the lawsuit filed on his behalf by the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress and the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School. It asserts that the VA was aware of and did not deal with decades-long discrimination against Black Veterans. It seeks justice for Monk and similar veterans. Appeal The VA Board of Veterans Appeals examines claims for benefits when a claimant disagrees an assessment made by the agency. If you're thinking of appealing the decision, it is crucial to file an appeal as soon as you can. A lawyer with experience in veteran disability appeals will help you ensure that your appeal meets all requirements and ensure that it receives a fair hearing. A qualified lawyer can review the evidence used to prove your claim and, if needed, provide new and additional proof. A lawyer also knows the challenges of dealing with the VA and can result in a greater degree of empathy for your situation. This can be a significant benefit to your appeals. One of the most frequent reasons that a veteran's claim for disability can be denied is because the agency has not properly classified their condition. A lawyer with experience can ensure that your condition is properly classified and rated correctly, allowing you to receive the benefits that you deserve. A qualified attorney will be able to collaborate with medical professionals to provide additional evidence of your condition. For example an expert in medicine might be able demonstrate that the pain you suffer is a result of your service-related injury and that it is disabling. They might be able assist you in getting the medical records you require to prove your claim.