I am not familiar with the military’s definitions for these designations, but I would assume that “combat related” is intended to refer to soldiers wounded after being ordered into a combat zone. Not to unarmed soldiers attacked on a US base by a fellow soldier turned terrorist.
I certainly wish the victims were being treated better, but I’m not entirely sure “combat related” designation is appropriate.
Did the victims on 9-11 die of combat-related injuries? Arguably those on Flight 93 did, but the others?
To me, any way you cut it, the military gets screwed.
Many victims and relatives got more $$$ benefits.