text: Fort Hood victims are set to receive Purple Heart medals today - amid claims they are being denied crucial financial support. Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan opened fire on November 5, 2009, killing 13 men and women at the military post in Killeen, Texas, injuring 30 others before he was shot himself. Authorities initially classed the mass murder as ‘workplace violence’ but it has since been acknowledged that the attack was an act of terrorism - because it was inspired by a foreign terrorist group. Scroll down for video . Victim: Staff sergeant Shawn Manning was shot six times during the Fort Hood attack - but claims he is being denied vital financial support . Authorities initially classed the mass murder as ‘workplace violence’ but it has since been acknowledged that the attack was an act of terrorism . Earlier this year, it was ruled that victims will be honored with Purple Hearts - awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving. But one victim claims he is still going without certain benefits after the Military rejected his claims that his injuries were sustained in the line of duty, Fox News reported. Staff sergeant Shawn Manning, who was shot six times with two bullets still in his body, told Fox News: ‘I think it's almost unheard of for someone to receive the Purple Heart but not have their injuries deemed combat-related. Honor: Fort Hood victims are set to receive Purple Heart medals today . ‘I know that was not what Congress intended to have happen, but it is what currently the Army has determined is going to happen.’ Manning, who says he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, applied to the Army in the hope his injuries would be recognised as having been sustained in the line of duty – but this was rejected by a physical evaluation board. A letter he received said that the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act did not offer combat benefits ‘for service members permanently disabled in attacks inspired or motivated by foreign terrorist organizations.’ He says the decision means his family will miss out on $800 a month in benefits – as well as back pay – and fears other survivors of the shooting rampage will be in a similar position. An Army spokeswoman told Fox News that Purple Heart Medal recipients would receive benefits ‘to which they are legally entitled’ under the terms of the National Defense Authorization Act 2015. She added: ‘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.’ It is now known that prior to the attack, Hasan had exchanged emails with Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaeda spokesman. Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan opened fire on November 5, 2009, killing 13 men and women at the military post in Killeen, Texas, injuring 30 others before he was shot himself . Hasan (pictured) was convicted by a military judge in 2013 in the killings, and he recommended the death penalty . Al-Awlaki praised Hasan's actions after the shooting, writing; 'Nidal Hassan is a hero. 'He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people. ... The U.S. is leading the war against terrorism which in reality is a war against Islam.' Hasan was convicted by a military judge in 2013 in the killings, and he recommended the death penalty.
target: Fort Hood shootings in 2009 were initially classed as 'workplace violence'
  Authorities later acknowledged that the attack was an act of terrorism .
  But victim Staff Sergeant Shawn Manning says he is being denied benefits .
  Says Military rejected claims his injuries were sustained in the line of duty .