Purple Hearts for PTSD? VA Expands Recognition for Invisible Injuries

For generations, the Purple Heart has symbolized wounds suffered in combat — a badge of honor worn by those who’ve bled for their country. But now, in a powerful shift, the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking a bold step to recognize wounds we can’t see.

The VA has officially launched a pilot program to honor veterans who suffer from combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by treating their condition as deserving of the same acknowledgment as visible injuries.

And while this isn’t an official change to Department of Defense Purple Heart criteria — yet — it sends a loud, clear message: psychological injuries are just as real, valid, and worthy of honor as physical ones.

What’s Changing?

The pilot initiative, announced in late June 2025, is designed to identify and formally recognize PTSD that was:

• Caused directly by combat situations
• Diagnosed and linked to service during a specific deployment
• Previously overlooked or dismissed as a “non-visible” wound

Veterans who meet the criteria under this new framework will receive formal recognition from the VA, with additional outreach from care coordinators, eligibility for expanded mental health services, and ongoing evaluation for possible further honors.

While the program does not currently alter the criteria for the official Purple Heart award from the military, VA officials say they are exploring pathways for alignment between DoD and VA standards — with veterans’ organizations pushing hard for a unified approach.

“For too long, veterans with invisible wounds have suffered in silence. This is about validating their sacrifice.”
~ VA Mental Health Services Spokesperson, via Military Times

Source: Military Times – VA Launches PTSD Recognition Pilot

Why This Matters for Disabled Veterans

Many disabled veterans living with combat-related PTSD have:

• Been denied certain honors or recognition because their wounds weren’t “seen”
• Avoided seeking treatment out of stigma or fear
• Struggled to explain the depth of their trauma to a system that often only acknowledged physical harm

This new initiative is more than symbolic — it’s an institutional admission that mental health deserves equal footing in both treatment and recognition.

For those who have long felt invisible, this is a step toward being seen.

Who Qualifies (And What You Can Do)

To be eligible under the new pilot:

• Your PTSD must be linked to a specific combat event or deployment
• You must have a formal diagnosis from a VA clinician or other approved source
• You may be asked to provide documentation or attend an evaluation

If you believe you qualify:

• Contact your VA Mental Health Coordinator
• Request a review under the “PTSD Recognition Pilot”
• Work with your Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or advocate for application support
• Be open to follow-up — this is a new process, and it may evolve

Advocacy in Action

Veteran advocacy groups like Wounded Warrior Project and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are already rallying behind this initiative, calling it a “monumental step” toward destigmatizing mental health wounds.

There’s also growing pressure on the DoD to revisit the official Purple Heart eligibility rules, which currently only cover visible, physical injuries. If that changes, this VA pilot may be the first domino in a long-overdue shift.

A Step Toward Healing and Honor …

This pilot program may not change the ribbon on a veteran’s uniform — yet — but it changes something bigger: the way we acknowledge sacrifice.

To those still fighting battles in their minds every day, this is a long-awaited validation.

And to those wondering if their invisible wounds matter — they do. And they always have.

If you or a loved one is living with PTSD linked to combat, this may be your time to step forward and receive the recognition you’ve long deserved.

Need help navigating the process?

Contact your local VA rep or visit VA Mental Health Services to get started.