Fort Hood Victims Getting Purple Heart, But Military Fighting Benefits For At Least 1

The victims of the Fort Hood shooting will finally receive Purple Hearts at a ceremony Friday attended by family, but at least one says the military is denying him benefits. The ceremony comes after years of fighting the Obama administration over their classification of the Fort Hood massacre committed by shooter and Islamic radical Nidal Hasan as “workplace violence,” despite overwhelming evidence and Hasan’s own lawyer supporting the classification of a Islamic terrorist attack.

“I think it’s almost unheard of for someone to receive the Purple Heart but not have their injuries deemed combat-related,” Staff-Sergeant Shawn Manning, who was shot 6 times in the 2009 attack, told Fox News. “I know that was not what Congress intended to have happen, but it is what currently the Army has determined is going to happen.”

Catherine Herridge has learned as part of its ongoing investigation of the 2009 terrorist attack that the military, at least in one case, is still denying benefits for injuries sustained in the attack. After the initial decision, Manning submitted an appeal arguing and requesting the Army recognize his injuries as those sustained in the line of duty. However, the physical evaluation board (PEB) rejected the appeal — viewable below —  on what some are saying was based on a narrow interpretation of the law.

“All recipients of the Purple Heart Medal under section 571 of the NDAA 2015 will receive the benefits to which they are legally entitled,” Army spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith said in a statement to Fox News. “In the case at issue, no final decision has been rendered, and the Soldier will have a full opportunity to present evidence at a formal hearing.”

In other words, the military and inevitably the Veterans Administration if he loses the appeal, have taken the position of fighting Staff Sgt. Manning for his benefits. Manning says he was the first one to file for the benefits, thus was the first to receive his decision. Without a significant change, clarification or least instruction on the law, it is more likely than not the military will deny the other victims’ claims, as well.

Read the decision below: