I have PTSD and am 61. I am considered 100 % disabled because it has left me with tremors that affect my ability to perform even simple tasks as writing. I understand the dismay of those who shed blood for the cause and were (and I hate this word) awarded,because it is not an award, it is something that has great meaning and is given to only those who deserve it. But I do have an issue with the fact that in Vietnam I saw aa lot of individuals with 2 PH's holding up a hand during a firefight just to get #3 so they could rotate out of 'Nam. Did they really deserve that third one if they got it that way? Think about it.

I would call such people incredibly stupid! You don't need a bullet wound or to bleed to get a PH, just claim you stumbled last night during that rocket attack and sprained your ankle, or scratched yourself getting into the bunker. Much less hurting that way. Cut yourself shaving because an incoming round startled you? Same thing, you qualify.

I think all veterans should be awarded the Purple Heart from the day their claim was submitted and the pain and the bleeding the VA adversarial adjudication system has inflicted time and time again. The suffering the veteran, and his family perhaps has endured, the hardships, the emotional toll. No veteran should ever have to beg to get what he has rightfully earned in compensation for having served and injured in whatever form. The VARO with a cold face and snide, smug look inflicts more pain and injury by either saying "no" "denied" "we need more information" and the weapons of choice keep coming and coming. There are many outstanding VARO people who do care, but that does not change a thing less you stop the bleeding and ease the pain.

Forgot: I was of course being a tad bit sarcastic in my post, but only due to the pain and distress I have seen and/or heard from oh so many vet brothers over too long a period of time. So much time passed and yet little to nothing has been done proactively to answer the call of a soldier veteran who has fallen and awaits his calling.

I AGREE

quote:

Originally posted by namgruntvet:
I have PTSD and am 61. I am considered 100 % disabled because it has left me with tremors that affect my ability to perform even simple tasks as writing. I understand the dismay of those who shed blood for the cause and were (and I hate this word) awarded,because it is not an award, it is something that has great meaning and is given to only those who deserve it. But I do have an issue with the fact that in Vietnam I saw aa lot of individuals with 2 PH's holding up a hand during a firefight just to get #3 so they could rotate out of 'Nam. Did they really deserve that third one if they got it that way? Think about it.

No way a person should recieve a purple heart for PTSD.
You will really open a gate if this happens. Remember there are some female soldiers which get raped, I do not think rape is a reason to receive a PH. However it is a reason to have PTSD. Note= I knew men with more than 3 PH and did not get to go home.

quote:

Originally posted by hutchdtp:

quote:

Originally posted by namgruntvet:
I have PTSD and am 61. I am considered 100 % disabled because it has left me with tremors that affect my ability to perform even simple tasks as writing. I understand the dismay of those who shed blood for the cause and were (and I hate this word) awarded,because it is not an award, it is something that has great meaning and is given to only those who deserve it. But I do have an issue with the fact that in Vietnam I saw aa lot of individuals with 2 PH's holding up a hand during a firefight just to get #3 so they could rotate out of 'Nam. Did they really deserve that third one if they got it that way? Think about it.

No way a person should recieve a purple heart for PTSD.
You will really open a gate if this happens. Remember there are some female soldiers which get raped, I do not think rape is a reason to receive a PH. However it is a reason to have PTSD. Note= I knew men with more than 3 PH and did not get to go home.

And I know a few clerks in Vietnam I barely knew that not only had PH's for God knows what, but a few BS's as well.
It seems to me that a true veteran should display and FEEL an open heart and soul to his fellow brothers, especially if service was wartime, so I pose this as a thought. Should we not wish all war battered vets all that they need, deserve and earned? Or should we BOOTS ON THE GROUND INFANTRY, God Bless America, and by the way, look at my chest, was I a hero or what eh? ....pass judgment on our fellow "Brothers in Arms."
Freddy.
BTW, a well decorated vet, who advocates for all, and leaves NO ONE behind. I was not brought up that way, nor did the Service or War teach me any less. Wishing you well though, as always.

As a patriot, I believe anyone that ia eligible
for a purple heart should get one. PTSD is just like having high blood presure. Granted its
a different kind of wound but in essence the person in question still put their life on the line for our country and should be awarded as
such. Modern medicine is so advanced now at treating PTSD consistantly exceeding previous
research.


Melissa kujat- residential worker Northeast counseling services

Well, let's see, A PH for a combat wound or PTSD? Only one calls for a purlpe heart.While the other calls for "Medical Attention and Benefits", the PH recipient most likely is in line for PTSD treatment and benfits. I just wish that some PH awards were better scrutinized. I know of two individuals with a few awards, including a PH which were awarded on each others account of their stories of each other. And they went all the way up to E-9. I carry the scars that I received during an engagement with the enemy but do not qualify for a PH. If that's not enough for PTSD. But then that would disqualify me for Choice employment.

If only the individuals that did not duck and received the PH, read the requirements for the Medal. Wounded while in a training scenario for war which we all have been subjected to qualifies for the medal as does many other wacky reasons and come on guys how many bandaid PH's are floating around out there... As a MCPO I had two TBI's and a very poor IDC on a Destroyer that just happened to leave these to big deep cuts in my scalp untreated, but forgot to enter it in my Med-Rec. The U.S. Army is helping me with this matter since the Navy prefers to give such Medals to Senators who loathed my Beloved Navy upon his return home to someday run for the highest office in this land He decided the medals where worth keeping or should I say asking for new ones, this because he through them over the White House fence protesting the very medal I'm sure he will be voting on. I like many of you feel at least show me the respect of such an honor. I too have been diagnosed PTSD, and I will tell many of you something, such an honor would go along way in the healing process. I find it particularly disgraceful that the Vietnam Vets that have whined about everything from rough tolet paper to Agent Orange would even get involved with this issue. You of all vets know what its like to be crapped on by your nation and your fellow citizens. I spent many long day searching out vets that where homeless in San Diego, just to give them comfort items and say Thanks. As a 22 year veteran and E-9 I've spent a great deal of time in my second career as a State Police Special Agent helping any Vet...because I've been there.

I wonder how many wounded, armless, legless veterans will throw their PH in the toilet if this happens?

Somehow that seems like THEIR personal problem, perhaps one that needs some PTSD treatment! If they can gladly share them with the thousands of scratch, bruise and sand in the eyes crowd, I doubt they would really worry about the PTSD folks.

quote:

Originally posted by SignalSgtWilliams:
I wonder how many wounded, armless, legless veterans will throw their PH in the toilet if this happens?

I'm A 100% disabled 11 B 10 INFANTRY Viet-Nam Veteran that will be affected for the rest of my life because of PTSD. From Nervousness, anger rages not being able to sleep unless I take strong sleeping medication ECT.. I served with one soilder in Nam that was hit by a Piece of a b-40 rocket that severed a small piece of his ear lobe.and I stress SMALL PIECE. Yes he was wounded, Yes there was Blood. Will that small injury affect him the rest of his life NOOOOOOOOOO. But he was awarded the Purple Heart.He was A company clerk in the Rear. So who is more deserving of the Purple Heart Award. The Soilder that lost a small piece of his ear lobe that didn't spend one day in the jungle,not ever being in a Fire Fight. Or The Soilders that life has been Pure HELL because of PTSD. I'm sure A Lot Of the Veterans that against The veterans Affect by PTSD receiving the Purple Heart never saw combat. If they did they wouldnt be against it. We as Veit-Nam Vets had a Saying and I Qoute. When I Die I'm Going To Heaven, Because I've Already Spend My Time In Hell. 2nd and the 8th 1st Calvary Division Air Mobile VETERAN.

I think you have it quite correct, great example that covers thousands.

quote:

Originally posted by aes32:
I'm A 100% disabled 11 B 10 INFANTRY Viet-Nam Veteran that will be affected for the rest of my life because of PTSD. From Nervousness, anger rages not being able to sleep unless I take strong sleeping medication ECT.. I served with one soilder in Nam that was hit by a Piece of a b-40 rocket that severed a small piece of his ear lobe.and I stress SMALL PIECE. Yes he was wounded, Yes there was Blood. Will that small injury affect him the rest of his life NOOOOOOOOOO. But he was awarded the Purple Heart.He was A company clerk in the Rear. So who is more deserving of the Purple Heart Award. The Soilder that lost a small piece of his ear lobe that didn't spend one day in the jungle,not ever being in a Fire Fight. Or The Soilders that life has been Pure HELL because of PTSD. I'm sure A Lot Of the Veterans that against The veterans Affect by PTSD receiving the Purple Heart never saw combat. If they did they wouldnt be against it. We as Veit-Nam Vets had a Saying and I Qoute. When I Die I'm Going To Heaven, Because I've Already Spend My Time In Hell. 2nd and the 8th 1st Calvary Division Air Mobile VETERAN.

A true Veteran who truly cares deeply and passionately of his/her fellow veterans in arms. One who fought as best he could. Looked out for his fellow soldier to his left, right, rear. One who did his duty as best he could. His honor and Integrity came second only to his fellow soldiers. One who doesn't talk the talk without walking the walk. One who doesn't state how much he cares for veterans, yet does not support them in his heart. One who KNOWS that if the PH will advance the cause of many veterans. One who knows that many veterans fighting claim after claim, NOD after NOD, appeal after appeal all in the Godforsaken name of PTSD, would make null, void, the argument of "Stressor" or substantiation, proof, buddy statements etc., WE all know too well especially VN vets, that too many years have gone by, too many nights have faded into day, too many VN vets NEVER knew they either had PTSD, ( I didn't) so perhaps I was stupid for not knowing what it was. I was lucky, I won my battles with the VA, but it was not a cinderella ride either. No, it was years in the making, nothing was easy, simple, granted. I fought for everything I am getting. In my humble opinion, so as not to take anything away from anyone who is in receipt of the PH for whatever the cause or reason. If they authoirized the PH for PTSD...IMAGINE for a moment...just imagine.. Thousands of PTSD claims will be adjudicated in favor for the veteran. Thousands of current appeals will be closed in favor of the veteran. Thousands of CVA cases, closed in favor of the veteran. Thousands of claims now sitting with DE NOVO or DRO will be closed as well in favor of the veteran. The 400 thousand plus backlog of claims at BVA will be sent back to VARO for payment of adjudicated claims in favor of the veteran. Thousands of CRSC claims that MAY be denied because they must prove a CAUSAL link between being in a war zone and their disability that they might, might, lose because they can't prove it, the military good stewards of local unit and personnel records? NOT. CRSC causal link removed and thousands granted, how about CRSP? with a PH recipient, do they not benefit? IS OUR INTEREST not only here, but in life as well that our guiding force wioo be always to insure compassion and JUST compensation for the injustices done to out fellow veterans once they became useless for war, and thrown to the curb. Is our mission in life not so? that we care more about a medal than a person? and not just a person, but a VETERAN, a veteran of a war, a veteran of a war theater. A veteran who likely has a family, does he not deserve all the due compensation he seeks? IS the compensation so great that we need to shut up and be greatful that we're getting anything at all? Does the veteran's family deserve to live a life in near poverty, poverty, squalor or just plain crap life? Do they deserve a quality of life, less than others that chose not to serve this great nation? PERHAPS, JUST PERHAPS, IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT THAT IF.YES, IF THEY GRANTING OF THE PH WILL AFFECT POSITIVELY ON ALL CLAIMS AND LIFE ISSUES BETWEEN THE VETERAN, THE VA, AND SSA. IF IT DOES OR MAY. THEN ARE WE NOT BOUND AS WE ONCE WERE IN WAR, TO ALWAYS LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER, HELP EACH OTHER, BE HAPPY FOR EACH OTHER, TO CELEBRATE EACH AND EVERY WIN OF A CLAIM. Or have we become "Indifferent" by looking out ONLY for ourselves, and saying we care about other veterans, but not meaning it in our hearts? I am a passionate veteran who will do whatever I can to advance any and all issues of, for and on behalf of all veterans. I am a MEMBER OF THE VIETNAM PTSD CLUB, and membership carries a heavy price, and payment are made for life. I could say. Hey, I got mine !! I am listening to you, but I am not going to hear. I got my PH the hard way, so don't mess with it. It belongs to the elite club membership. The problem I have is this: I have a heart. I actually care deeply about all my fellow veterans. I can feel your pain, I can and have walked in your boots. I have a passion to see justice done. I am committed to ensuring QUALITY of LIFE disability compensation, and NOT just for the veteran but also his wife and children. I want and wish all suffering to stop. I want the bleeding and pain of the veterans families to cease. They all deserve much better than our country fives them. SO TO ME, BY ALL MEANS, if it helps win claims, by God, award that PH for wounds will heal over time, but a bleeding soul cannot be mended. If you do not have PTSD, I would not expect you to understand any of this. On the other hand, if you have PTSD then remember how life was once, and what you can do to help your brother walk down memory lane with the knowledge that even though his soul can never be mended, most of his life issue burdons will be relieved, for while we can never help him completely, we can surely take away his financial burdeons that weigh so heavily on his shoulders. PTSD can be relieved a LITTLE by removing a few stressors and the biggest stressor of all is MONEY.
Freddy

Aw Freddy, you are making me cry.

Freddy - June 24, 2008

Hey Freddy,

Like you, I got my PTSD courtesy of the good old RVN..."lucky" for me I caught a good dose of "holes" to go with it. When, after 35 long years, I was finally diagnosed with the MONSTER the thing that cinched it was the award of "valor medals,” of which the I guess is PH is one. As I am certain you, know the PH makes a PTSD finding almost automatic. If I would not have had the “good luck” of being in the wrong, place right time the finding could possibly have gone another way.

As it is, physical damage and all, I am still doing the VA dance trying to get what I (and almost all who know me) believe is right. I had to stop working more than a year ago (April) and the psych said I “retired” in her notes. The fight still goes on…hell maybe it has only started.

I can say this however; as much pain and trouble the physical damage has caused me during my lifetime, at least I can bear it myself. I can certainly ***** with the best of them and I am really limited in certain areas, but it is on my shoulders. The MONSTER likes to “share” so everyone gets to play. So the MONSTER, in many ways, is worse…far worse. Yet I got a medal for the holes…go figure.

From what I understand they are now giving the BSM out to drone “pilots” (less a “V” I guess) and likely to others who are even less deserving. So, if the PH award for PTSD helps even one deserving vet (from any war) who “knows the darkness of the MONSTER” up close & personal as they say…pass them out to them. If it helps them to be compensated for what is, and what will be, because of their personal dance (you know the dance I mean…the close slow one) with the MONSTER give the award.

We vets should all quit stop “ego games” about getting a PH. Hell, I got one for “being in the way.” Did the aftermath and hospital stay suck? You bet it did. Getting one for PTSD “the gift that keeps on giving,” yeah that also makes sense. The holes in my body quit leaking…the crap in my head is still there.

PS: Great post & good to have you back!

My best to you & yours,
Dick Tracy

Dear Dick

Thank you for your post and your insight as well. I would add to your observation, but there really isn't anything to add. "We" know all too well the "dance" with that monster who knows no heart and has no concience and indeed keeps on giving and dancing no matter if the music stops even for a moment. I sincerely hope veterans will be able to get past things I certainly would never make light of. I know too well the cost incurred to be awarded medals, but rather than dwell on things I received for things I actually never did on purpose, and likely was in the wrong place at the wrong time that seemingly may reflect me as a hero, I have always told my story when it would come up, one time by my Shrink like this " Well, it seems that while not paying attention like I probably should have, I am a victim of being shot at and MISSED, and unfortunately shot at and hit." Hero? nah.. too heavy a load to carry. I am a hero if you count my grandson who loves me so very much, and tells me so all the time. He was born a preemie at 4 months, was the size of a dollar bill, and was given a 10% chance to live. Dick, I stayed with him in the ICU for 5 months, only leaving long enough to shower, eat and change clothes. I placed my finger alongside his hand 20 some hours a day, telling him he was loved, wanted and to fight because we had alot of things to do together. He had some crisis, many revivals, and so on the 4th day of his birth, with no actual skin on his body, tubes and monitors that was unbelievable, I told him in a whisper "I am now going to name you "BUBBA" because Bubba's always make it, they're fighters, just like a hillbillie redneck, you need to fight as best you can. He did.
Now, he just turned age 4. He is small for his age, he has some health problems, but he's a kid that is doing fine. By his own choice, he refuses to sleep anywhere except in my bed with me, he follows me around like a puppy, we go fishing. Every night when I lay him down and I get ready to tell him a bedtime story, he stops me just like clockwork and says "Opa (That's what he calls me) and I answer yes, Bubba? he places his hand on my bearded face and says I love you. When everyone, including my own daughter gave up on him because there was no hope. I became that hope. He has since birth lived with me, will not stay anywhere else. Likes his mother, but will not stay with her. The point I think I believe truly is this. I really believe that during those hours, days, weeks and months after his birth, even though at 4 months, given no chance for survival. I really believe in my heart that he felt me, felt my presence, and felt my love and my encouragement to fight on. Some in my family are envious, some perhaps jealous because we are so close, so inseperable, so much alike. Just like when he falls asleep, he has my finger in his little hand. Is that odd? Not really, I think that in the recesses of his mind, he remembers that I held his when he was fighting. Is there a moral to this TRUE story? I think so. I have a passion for veteran causes. My heart truly aches when I read some posts because I can sense the pain. My thought is that you cannot feel the pain of your fellow man, less you have experienced that pain yourself. My VA ride was not a cinderella story either, I had fought the VA battle after battle, so nothing came easy. My Father was a huge figure in my life. I had a standing appointment with him every sunday at 2 p.m to pick any subject and we would just talk. He impressed me that no matter how much the pain, how high the mountain, there was nothing I could not achieve and become. Well, PTSD kicked me in the proverbial %%ss, but at least during my military career I was able to get 2 masters and 1 BS degree and shortly after I was retired the VA Voc Rehab allowed me to finish law school. The Law school became a passion after I met a vietnam vet who became my best friend, a rare thing. In any case, He was wounded in DaNang and spent 16 months in a coma, during which time all his records were lost. His story...16 months, coma, 156 total blood transfusions, and from 1968 to 2003 he lived in a shed making ends meet from social security, a lousy 540 dollars a month. He fought the VA 35 years, denied, denied, denied. I finished Law School in 1987, Went to Menlo Park Calif PTSD center for 7 months as a patient. Came back a better man than I was before and took up nothing but veteran causes ever since. I will never get rich, but my wealth lies in the knowledge that I have done something good for someone. My friend I mentioned recieved his 100% disability with back pay for over 300,000 dollars all in vain, for it went back into the VA's bank account, my friend Larry Ivey had died 2 weeks before of wounds sustained in Vietnam 35 years ago. Since my taking of his case which was the genesis of my advocacy of veterans causes, at his funeral I vowed to do all I can to make sure this never happens again, and on my watch, It will not !
Back to my Bubba, and the moral of the story. He was a fighter, I am a fighter. He won't lose, I wont lose. He has no ego, will give what he has. I have no ego and will give whatever it takes. The Purple Heart, meaningful to be sure, but at what price? If the award for PTSD which is so hard to get compensation for can be eliminated by the issuance of a PH, then for myself, I simply say.Take it, it is yours. You need it more than I.
I hope I didn't ramble on too long, feel free to straighten me out anytime. I can handle criticism very well, and always side with caution, hence I left for a while for the rule stands "if any distress can be assigned to me to any veteran then character dictates you remove yourself from the root till a time when a calm returns and positive karma is felt.
Wishing you well buddy. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. I am here for you and for all.
A Veteran in Arms
Freddy

quote:

I am a hero if you count my grandson who loves me so very much, and tells me so all the time. He was born a preemie at 4 months, was the size of a dollar bill, and was given a 10% chance to live. Dick, I stayed with him in the ICU for 5 months, only leaving long enough to shower, eat and change clothes. I placed my finger alongside his hand 20 some hours a day, telling him he was loved, wanted and to fight because we had a lot of things to do together.

Hey Freddy,

A bit off topic,…I apologize to all.

Freddy, call it a “small coincidence,” miracle, or whatever, but I it is interesting to me. My daughter who, like my son, had the extreme luck to be born to one of the greatest mothers of all time, my wife, is a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) specializing in infants. She has a hospital position in the neo-natal ICU in a Chicago area children’s hospital. To hear of your grandson’s story hit a very special chord in my heart. To think that someone like my daughter may have inadvertently assisted the family of a fellow veteran had not occurred to me.

My past, like others who have battled the MONSTER, has had some very ugly chapters, the greatest of which have had to do with familial pain that I have inflicted on my wife and children. Many times I have thought to myself (and wished) that had just died and got it over with, during my blackest times I thought to finish it myself. During times of clarity, I have told myself that “maybe I lived for a reason.” Your experience confirms it for me…someone like my daughter may have helped save someone like your grandson! So despite the junk I have heaped on my crew, “good” came from it. That feels great right now!

My best to you & yours,

Dick Tracy