Has anyone tried to recieve a rectroactive Purple Heart?

2015-08-14T00:29:58-04:00

I am currently in the process of an MEB and my PEBLO suggested I pursue a rectroactive Purple Heart. I know the process of going about this, I was just wondering if anyone else has done this.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 12:50 AM

2015-08-14T00:50:37-04:00

It can be done, but the process would have had to start at the time of the incident. Something like this is going to completely depend on the circumstance. You would need sworn statements and documentation from the care you received.

Just in general, if your truck took a blast and everyone was good and you CM, then an couple years later you say you have headaches, not sure how far that would go for a PH. And would you really want one in this case?

However, if someone was injured and treated by medical (not just a medic on patrol with you, no offense) and the paperwork was just never filled out, then I think you still can.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 1:09 AM

2015-08-14T01:09:29-04:00

She should go into a Reserve Component. Enlist ASAP, go to basic and job training, then go to college! I'm assuming AK has a state academic scholarship. Way to many benefits out there right now.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-08-14T10:50:27-04:00

I have done this, twice SPC Dave St.Andrew
What you need is proper medical documentation, especially important if the injury is a TBI.
For more traditional PH-type injuries, the trick is to show the injury was due to enemy activity. This usually requires witness statements. It would be helpful if there were some form of explanation why the PH was not awarded at the time of the incident, as one of the requirements is that the injury "required treatment". In other words, not just an owie.
I can give specific advise, if you tell me a bit more. Please don't give any medical information that you are not comfortable being out in the open.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 17 at 2016 2:32 PM

2016-02-17T14:32:30-05:00

I did the opposite and not listened to my PEBLO and Wounded Warrior Program in 2015, because I was embarrassed of having a TBI, but now with all my brain issue problems I am researching the same. My advice is do it and message me to teach me, please.

Response by SGT Daniel Rocco Ames made Jun 7 at 2018 1:53 PM

2018-06-07T13:53:14-04:00

I can tell you it can be done, but it is a pain. I went through my Congressman and the packet was bounced back due to insufficient medical info. The injury wasn't documented during the actual blast, I had my PSG and medic in the vehicle, and I was treated for post-traumatic headaches and sat out for 48 hours. I was a squared away sokdier and pushed through. Once I got home though it was determined I had a fairly decent case of TBI and had to go through rehab and all that. The neurologists confirmed it, and it is in my records as a result of enemy explosions, but because there is no paper records of treatment in country in still working on it. My old PA is deployed right now, but he did keep meticulous personal records, so I am going to have him write me a letter stating I was treated for headaches, was removed from patrols for 48 hours, and I did have loss of consciousness.

Response by SGT Daniel Rocco Ames made Jun 7 at 2018 1:55 PM

2018-06-07T13:55:10-04:00

I wouldn't have even pursued it had it not been severe enough to be pulled from jump status for over 6 months, rehab, and now permanent memory-related issues. Tinnitus is bad as well, but I was an artilleryman, so I don't even consider that related, nor is it even listed in my VA claims. I was a heavy concert teenager, so some of that is my own fault.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jun 8 at 2018 5:36 PM

2018-06-08T17:36:06-04:00

i before e, except after c

Response by SFC Terry Whitted made Jul 2 at 2018 12:00 AM

2018-07-02T00:00:27-04:00

I'm a Vietnam vet and I got a tbi from a enemy rocket and was out for 15 minutes I woke up in the hospital I was there for a week and the eeg should that I had brain damage I had seizes every day so they took me out of the field and they Sadie that I have seizure disorder which is percent so I could do is light duty they Sadie that I would get my purple heart before I left country but never did so I just now wrote to get it correced

Response by SPC James Hampton made Nov 20 at 2018 3:36 PM

2018-11-20T15:36:24-05:00

can you please post update. it looks like you have your purple heart now. please give info on how you went about doing this