What mental health condition might explain the veteran's inability to remember his family or his past after returning from combat?

The scenario of a veteran experiencing an inability to remember family or past events after returning from combat aligns closely with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition often develops in individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as military combat, and is characterized by a range of symptoms including intrusive memories, flashbacks, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma.

In PTSD, memory issues may arise specifically as a dissociative symptom, where individuals might compartmentalize their traumatic experiences, leading to gaps in memory related to the trauma or even more general memory impairment. This can manifest as difficulty recalling important personal information, such as familial relationships and past experiences, which is particularly relevant in the context of the veteran's case.

While Acute Stress Disorder also pertains to traumatic experiences, it typically occurs shortly after the event and may not encapsulate long-term memory loss as seen in PTSD. Dissociative Identity Disorder involves a more complex scenario of identity fragmentation and is less likely in this context. Major Depression might involve memory issues, but they are usually associated with a general cognitive slowing or lack of concentration rather than specific memory loss about trauma or significant relationships.

Thus, the nature of the veteran's memory loss and the context of returning from combat strongly support the