Why does the US military not consider a brain injury to be an injury?

The U.S. Army honors soldiers wounded or killed in combat with the Purple Heart, a powerful symbol designed to recognize their sacrifice and service.

Yet Army commanders have routinely denied Purple Hearts to soldiers who have sustained concussions in Iraq, despite regulations that make such wounds eligible for the medal, an investigation by NPR and ProPublica has found.

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It's a business decision.

Military brass tends to be rather suspicious of brains in general, because brains often get in the way of upholding proper military discipline. That's also why the Joint Chiefs of Staff share only a single brain between them - and even that one they only use sparingly (General Conway hasn't used it for even a single day since last October).

By Phillip IV (not verified) on 09 Sep 2010 #permalink