Getting a mTBI in the Army doesn't warrant a Purple Heart????

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129756105
 
An absolutely infuriating interview by NPR about how the Pentagon currently views brain injury. It seems that they don't want to be thought of as handing out medals as though they were candy... so, they restrict their definition of injury  (see: invisible disability... just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not happening).

Considering that Purple Heart recipients get faster/cheaper care at VA hospitals, it would seem that this is a heartless sweep it under the rug kind of economic decision. Couple that with the military mentality of "you ain't injured unless your entrails are spilling out of your body", and we have a double whammy of negligence.

Dear Brass,

You're constantly telling the troops to be vigilant in terms of terrorism. How 'bout you do the same with brain injury?  

You don't expect to be told to run with a broken foot... why are you telling the brain injured soldiers to go back to work and suck it up? Having a brain injury is kind of like being drunk. They're having cognitive and emotional difficulties (read: can't do basic logic and are experiencing mood swings) ...Oh, just send the soldier out there with a loaded weapon, sounds like a *fantastic* idea!  

And... Why are you denying them healthcare?

Thanks,

A Brain Injury Survivor