The Purple Heart is a derivative of the Badge of Military Merit. In 1932 138 WWI veterans were issued the Purple Heart at the TEMPLE of VIRTUE. Not the wounded, only those that risk their own life for others - Virtue of Merit.
Now every wounded military member gets one?
1.7 million handed out to date, and that is just an estimate due to lack of available records.
A Purple Heart for PTSD created in a WAR ZONE, I say yes.
A Badge of Military Merit for those brave souls that risk it all - above and beyond the call of duty, I say yes.
So the PURPLE HEART of TODAY has become as handily available to wounded vets as a National Defense Ribbon

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TuyHoa70,

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds received due to conflict with the enemy. The Purple Heart medal can legally be authorized to only three groups of personnel:
One, those wounded or injured as a direct result of hostile enemy action.
Second, those wounded or injured as a direct result of friendly fire (FF). (Broadly speaking, FF occurs only during a hostile encounter or initiative with, or in response to, an enemy when someone on your side mistakes you for the enemy.) Or when injured by your own non-projectile weapon (bayonet, sword, blunt instrument, etc.) or projectile weapons fire (bullet, explosive device, etc) while engaging, responding to or attacking an enemy.
And third, POWs injured or wounded as a result of individually directed conflict or punishment with their captor in violation of any article of the Geneva Convention Rules of Warfare Concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War whether or not the captor's government is a signatory to the Convention.

In regard to the stressor, that is a serious stressor and treatment is needed. I suggest you discuss the effect on your heart with your Clinicians, who are well trained in PTSD. If the psychiatrist feels a connection, you may have a potential claim.

You may also wish to have a discussion with a VSO to acertain what is needed for proper claim development. AMVETS, DAV, Legion, and VFW are good places to look for help.

There is a great deal of controversy about awarding the Purple Heart to those who suffer from PTSD.

This is a good place to discuss your ideas about the topic.

"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter. You will meet them doing various things with resolve, but their interest rarely holds because after the other thing ordinary life is as flat as the taste of wine when the taste buds have been burned off your tongue." (from 'On the Blue Wayer' in Esquire, April 1936)

quote:

Originally posted by OldAFcop:
There is a great deal of controversy about awarding the Purple Heart to those who suffer from PTSD.

This is a good place to discuss your ideas about the topic.

Sound wisdom from a great Writer.......


"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter."
Ernest Hemingway, "On the Blue Water," Esquire, April 1936
US author & journalist (1899 - 1961)

Obviouly a very intelligent man with brilliant insight.

There is an active discussion about the Purple heart and PTSD right here. Join the discussion if you would like to share your thoughts about the topic.