I heard a story yesterday morning on NPR examining the practice of Army generals awarding Purple Hearts to soldiers who received traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as a result of enemy combat (this specifically mentioned concussions). It appears some are being correctly awarded but some are not. That inconsistency seems to be the issue which the whole of the Armed Forces is addressing by pushing forward new, not-yet-approved guidelines.
Tricky part is handling the education behind TBI and what’s considered an injury and what isn’t. Or if an injury has no outward physical sign, is realized later on, etc… I imagine it’s hard to medically diagnose a concussion in the middle of the firefight.
I found a good wrap up of the situation here at ArmyTimes.com. There’s also a possibility of Purple Hearts being awarded retroactively. As a grandson of a WWII vet who was awarded the Purple Heart, I’d personally like to see the military take this important step.
We’ve done a few workshops on this including TBI & our Wounded Warriors series which address the “hidden injuries” sustained during combat. It’s important to keep these discussions ongoing so please let us know your thoughts (here or on Facebook) and let’s bring the health care perspective of this to the table.
TBI is one of those topics that is truly multi-disciplinary involving every health care professional in every area of an individual’s life. Your thoughts?
-Ryan
Director of Marketing
Didn’t Congress meet on the 30th of March to discuss this? Does anyone know what the outcome was?
Hi John, I found this Congress document online: http://www.pascrell.house.gov/work/TBI_Newsletter_Feb%202011.pdf
It appears that there was a report due 3/31/11 but I can’t find an update when quickly looking on Google. Appears some research and funding has started, but the initial 2009 DoD decision was to dis-allow Purple Hearts for TBI. Seems to be some increased pressure on the top so we’ll see how it pans out.
Besides being a retired veteran who served in Vietnam and Desert Storm, I have worked in the Dept of VA treating PTSD and TBI affected veterans. So, when the suggestion of possibly awarding the Purple Heart for TBI first came about a few years back, I conducted an email survey with the various veterans I’m in contact with here in El Paso, TX, along with around the US.
Needless to say that I recieved a mixed response of pros and cons along with in between opinions. Yet, I believe that the consensus today is probably more for the awarding the Purple Heart for TBI then when it was first suggested.
I was never wounded in combat nor did I ever recieve a Purple Heart and I’m very grateful for that. But, I do believe that the military should begin awarding the Purple Heart for TBI as it is a real wound like anyother wound and in many ways, it’s evan harder to live with then some of the other wounds that are recognized by the criterias of the Purple Heart!
Hi Harry, I appreciate your “insider” thoughts on this. I agree that awarding it for TBI seems to be the consensus (recently at least). Thank you also for serving.
I was diagnosed with Tbi and when I got out of the army in June of 2009. I filed for disability and my rating for. Tbi was diagnosed mild tbi and awarded 0%. I do collect 60 % do to other injuries. I just find it messed up that. Half the doctors say we saw nothing on the cat scans. Must be nothing while the other half tell me that you would not see. Anything because it is a confusion from sous waves. I would truly like to know when and if they decide to make us eligible for a purple heart
Hi Kevin, thank you for your comment and a heartfelt thanks for your service. It appears the topic is maintaining it’s steam so we’ll see where it goes over the next few months.