News From the Cause
Florida Guard vet fights Army over Purple Heart for injury suffered in Iraq: (St. PETERSBURG TIMES)
July 13, 2009
The refusal comes even after an Army medical board ruled that Rivera, who was hospitalized for six months, was totally disabled by combat-related traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and other injuries, records show. One problem the Army cites to Rivera: Like many soldiers with TBI, he exhibited the most severe symptoms weeks after the blast and wasn't treated for any of his injuries immediately. The Army says it must be sure the brain injury was caused by combat to award the medal, which is more difficult to do as time passes. click here to view
