

The Pentagon has decided that PTSD is not worthy of a Purple Heart, saying it was not intentionally caused by an "outside force or agent." According to Stars and Stripes, which reported some of the story in May, a military spokesperson explained that the Purple Heart



has never been awarded for mental disorders or psychological conditions resulting from witnessing or experiencing traumatic combat events (e.g., combat stress reaction, shell-shock, combat stress fatigue, acute stress disorder, or PTSD).

The Purple Heart has long been symbolic of injuries resulting from combat injury or death. It has been estimated that roughly 20 percent --about 300,000 -- of Iraq vets are returning with post-traumatic stress. Their service-related needs, stemming from multiple deployments, combat, traumatic brain injury, have become the topic of widespread concern and loss of respect for the military.

Lawsuit over PTSD

A class-action law suit was filed in federal court in December charging the military had denied legal benefits for PTSD, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The law suit, filed on behalf of five soldiers who were discharged because of PTSD, was brought by the non-profit National Veterans Legal Services Program. It charged defense department ratings fell short of the 50% disabiity to which these vets are legally entitled.