Concussions May Qualify for Purple Heart Medal
Soldiers who have suffered concussions while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan may qualify for the Purple Heart medal under new Army guidelines.
The change, which was reported by USA Today last week, means thousands of soldiers may qualify for the medal, which is awarded for wounds or injuries resulting from combat.
Sentiment has been slowly changing during the 10 years of the global war on terrorism. Earlier attempts at adding concussions to the list of qualifying wounds was derided by those who thought conventional wounds only should be on the list.
But as traumatic brain injury has become more of a signature wound of the enemy’s main weapon—roadside bombs—and mental health of veterans has come to the forefront, the thinking has evolved.
Soldiers who suffered concussions and were denied the medal are being encouraged to seek a review of their cases, the newspaper reported. They can do so by calling 888-276-9472 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Soldiers who have suffered concussions while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan may qualify for the Purple Heart medal under new Army guidelines.
The change, which was reported by USA Today last week, means thousands of soldiers may qualify for the medal, which is awarded for wounds or injuries resulting from combat.
Sentiment has been slowly changing during the 10 years of the global war on terrorism. Earlier attempts at adding concussions to the list of qualifying wounds was derided by those who thought conventional wounds only should be on the list.
But as traumatic brain injury has become more of a signature wound of the enemy’s main weapon—roadside bombs—and mental health of veterans has come to the forefront, the thinking has evolved.
Soldiers who suffered concussions and were denied the medal are being encouraged to seek a review of their cases, the newspaper reported. They can do so by calling 888-276-9472 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
