Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Vets push for purple hearts for PTSD.......

Odin21 · 08-01-2012, 16:57

What do you guys think about Purple Hearts for TBI patients? I understand that there would be issues with "medal hunters" with this like there would be with PTSD, but is there enough evidence showing the long term effects of TBI to merit it for consideration? I had a medic friend I deployed with have a bad day in Afghanistan and received two TBIs in a few hours in addition to neck, shoulder, and leg injuries. The TBI has had a longer and greater impact than the others combined. He ended up having to quit his prenursing classes because he could not just memorize things anymore. That has a much greater impact on him that a sore neck or crepitus in the shoulder. Those injuries have appeared to heal much faster and better than his mental injuries...

As far as the Purple Heart for PTSD I do agree that it is an affront to other recipients of the Purple Heart. That being said, I do know some individuals that have PTSD and it affects their life much more than some other wounds that would have qualified for a Purple Heart. I have worked on people who were eligible for the Purple Heart for something that took a few stitches to close and they were back at work in a few hours. However, they were eligible for the Purple Heart and everything that comes with it, whereas a police officer that I know is having a lot of issues and has considered quitting his job on more than one occasion due to PTSD issues. He does not want a Purple Heart and is not trying to claim one by any means, but it is interesting that a minor laceration like I previously described would have far less of an impact on his civilian life than what PTSD has. Is there something that you guys can think of to bridge the gap? Like I said, neither of us are in favor of PHs for PTSD, but at the same time there are true patients who have real issues, some much greater than injuries that would otherwise qualify. My wife is not in the military or in the healthcare field, but she made an interesting comment that it appears that patients with PTSD have a much higher mortality due to their "injury" than to people who had more conventional wounds. I am not sure if that is a statistical fact, but there is something to be said about the astronomical suicide rate and the correlation to PTSD. Any thoughts on the matter?

I am in no way saying I disagree with you guys and I respect your opinions immensely, which is why I am asking questions. Thank you for your time.

08-01-2012, 16:57	#6
Odin21 Asset Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 32	Purple Heart for TBI? What do you guys think about Purple Hearts for TBI patients? I understand that there would be issues with "medal hunters" with this like there would be with PTSD, but is there enough evidence showing the long term effects of TBI to merit it for consideration? I had a medic friend I deployed with have a bad day in Afghanistan and received two TBIs in a few hours in addition to neck, shoulder, and leg injuries. The TBI has had a longer and greater impact than the others combined. He ended up having to quit his prenursing classes because he could not just memorize things anymore. That has a much greater impact on him that a sore neck or crepitus in the shoulder. Those injuries have appeared to heal much faster and better than his mental injuries... As far as the Purple Heart for PTSD I do agree that it is an affront to other recipients of the Purple Heart. That being said, I do know some individuals that have PTSD and it affects their life much more than some other wounds that would have qualified for a Purple Heart. I have worked on people who were eligible for the Purple Heart for something that took a few stitches to close and they were back at work in a few hours. However, they were eligible for the Purple Heart and everything that comes with it, whereas a police officer that I know is having a lot of issues and has considered quitting his job on more than one occasion due to PTSD issues. He does not want a Purple Heart and is not trying to claim one by any means, but it is interesting that a minor laceration like I previously described would have far less of an impact on his civilian life than what PTSD has. Is there something that you guys can think of to bridge the gap? Like I said, neither of us are in favor of PHs for PTSD, but at the same time there are true patients who have real issues, some much greater than injuries that would otherwise qualify. My wife is not in the military or in the healthcare field, but she made an interesting comment that it appears that patients with PTSD have a much higher mortality due to their "injury" than to people who had more conventional wounds. I am not sure if that is a statistical fact, but there is something to be said about the astronomical suicide rate and the correlation to PTSD. Any thoughts on the matter? I am in no way saying I disagree with you guys and I respect your opinions immensely, which is why I am asking questions. Thank you for your time.
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