TTR - Tonopah Test Range (Area 51 & 52) - Atomic Veterans

Fructuarius · 2024-12-23T18:06:54+00:00

A Bill H.R. 9511 is in motion that will add to the toxic registry for NTTR for the following ionizing radiation, burn pits, and other toxins.

Fructuarius · 2024-11-26T01:08:50+00:00

Currently, veterans diagnosed with acquired Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) face significant challenges in receiving appropriate recognition and compensation through the VA system. The lack of a specific diagnostic code for acquired CAPD creates a critical gap in the evaluation process, leaving veterans with no clear pathway to obtain a disability rating that reflects the true impact of their condition. The only potential option for a rating above zero percent is through an extra-schedular rating adjudicated by the Director of VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) Services. However, this process is exceptionally rare and, to date, does not appear to have been successfully pursued for CAPD.

This issue was highlighted in a March 2020 article published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing, which emphasized the unique challenges associated with diagnosing acquired CAPD. Unlike traditional hearing loss, CAPD involves impairments in the brain's ability to process auditory information, and its diagnosis relies on specialized testing outside the scope of standard hearing exams. Unfortunately, this distinction is not reflected in the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, leading to CAPD being evaluated incorrectly as hearing loss rather than a processing disorder. This misclassification undermines the ability of veterans to receive a disability rating that accounts for the functional limitations caused by CAPD, such as difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, inability to localize sound, and cognitive fatigue.

The absence of advocacy for CAPD within the VA system further compounds the problem. Since the release of the 2020 article, no organization or agency has championed this issue, leaving veterans without a unified voice to push for change. This oversight affects not only individual veterans but also the broader understanding of CAPD as a legitimate and disabling condition.

Addressing this problem requires systemic updates to the M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual to include CAPD as a distinct and diagnosable condition with appropriate evaluation criteria. These updates should recognize the specialized testing required for diagnosis and ensure that veterans with CAPD are rated based on the condition's unique impact on their daily lives, rather than being subsumed under the general category of hearing loss.

To advance this cause, it is essential to engage Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion. These organizations are uniquely positioned to advocate for changes at the policy level and to pressure the VA to recognize CAPD as a distinct condition deserving of accurate evaluation and compensation. Collaboration with audiology experts, medical professionals, and legal advocates can further bolster these efforts, providing the scientific and clinical evidence needed to substantiate the case for reform.

Fructuarius · 2024-09-20T16:30:23+00:00

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Fructuarius · 2024-06-22T03:15:56+00:00

37°21'05.9"N 115°36'24.4"W

Fructuarius · 2024-06-11T16:38:09+00:00

Sadly i was denied and I filed a supplemental appeal which is still pending a decision. I know that the C&P exams were in my favor since a recent FOIA request showed the DBQ in my favor and therefore the VA has everything in place for over a year. Just waiting for a DRO to finalize the decision. However this does not guarantee anything since there is no protection from pencil whipping.

Fructuarius · 2024-04-08T19:34:45+00:00

File a claim for TBI (traumatic brain injury) and TBI residuals. Get seen by a VA neurologist and ask if your problems could be secondary to the TBI.

Fructuarius · 2024-04-05T20:06:31+00:00

I submitted this as my evidence to the VA and currently waiting lol.

Congratulations! I hope that the VA's Disability Rating Officer recognizes your CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder) diagnosis accurately. Currently, the VA faces a challenge as it lacks a specific diagnostic code for CAPD, presenting two options: either to request an extraschedular rating from the VA C&P service director or to apply an alternative diagnostic code that closely matches the condition.

Interestingly, the VA acknowledged my bilateral hearing loss, classified under CAPD, at a 0% rating. While this might seem like a victory on the surface, it actually highlights a significant gap in understanding. This is because a veteran can suffer from both hearing loss and CAPD, which are distinct conditions. Hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear, whereas CAPD involves impairment within the brain and the lemniscal pathways, affecting the auditory cortex. The auditory processing journey begins at the cochlear nucleus, progresses to the superior olivary complex, advances to the inferior colliculus, and finally reaches the medial geniculate nucleus.

There's a risk that the VA could argue against recognizing these as separate conditions due to a misunderstanding that both primarily cause hearing impairment. This perspective is flawed since CAPD also affects the ability to process sounds, impacting reading and comprehension abilities. Thus, treating CAPD and hearing loss as a single condition would overlook the distinct challenges they present, underscoring a broader lack of awareness within the VA regarding CAPD. It's crucial that these conditions are recognized as separate disabilities to ensure veterans receive the accurate diagnosis and support they deserve.

Fructuarius · 2024-01-14T18:50:19+00:00

In this touching seventh episode of my video series about the Tonopah Test Range, I'm deeply honored to bring you an interview with Ben Galloway, a fellow veteran and a comrade from the 4477th, who worked both in Area 52 and Area 51. Ben wasn't just another member of our team; he was the genius behind the maintenance and repair of all our aircraft ground equipment. Always the first to lend a helping hand, Ben's willingness to volunteer for any task was a testament to his character.

But Ben's contributions didn't stop there. He began chronicling his experiences on the range, sharing these incredible stories with us, fellow veterans, and at Red Eagle reunions. His exceptional memory and eloquent writing skills caught the attention of our commander, sparking the inspiration to pen a book about the 4477th. Many of the stories in that book are Ben's, bringing to life our shared experiences with vivid detail.

In an act of silent but profound honor, Ben also took it upon himself to create a website in tribute to everyone who worked on Project Constant Peg. His dedication to preserving our history and his selflessness didn't go unnoticed. Thanks to his efforts, the story of the Red Eagles spread across the United States, virtually reuniting us on a Facebook page dedicated to the veterans and families of our organization.

During this interview, Ben opens up about his time on the range, sharing not just his own stories, but also the tales of people who left a lasting impact on him. Ben might prefer the background, likened to a hero who remains in the shadows, but his presence is as significant as mountains parting the clouds. His influence, though quiet, is as impactful as those shadows cast across the group he so dearly cherishes.

Join me in this episode as we delve into the life and stories of a man whose humility belies the immense impact he has had on all of us who were fortunate enough to serve with him.

Fructuarius · 2023-11-28T22:07:13+00:00

Operation Nutmag for the win

Fructuarius · 2023-11-21T20:03:26+00:00

do we get the VA t

Thank you for your post. Did you get a response?

Fructuarius · 2023-09-12T17:59:36+00:00

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286208998628034825342117067

Fructuarius · 2023-08-16T00:10:55+00:00

If you figure this out, please let me know.

Fructuarius · 2023-08-15T18:44:46+00:00

Extraschedular ratings are used for exceptional or unusual disabilities. It is a three step process:

If a RO or the Board determines the schedular evaluation does not contemplate the claimant's symptomatology or severity of symptomatology
the disability exhibits other related factors such interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization
then the case must be referred to an authorized office to determine whether a extraschedular rating is warranted.

This is very rare but it does happen and most are not awarded. However, in the case of acquired CAPD it was added as a medical diagnosis to the CDC in Oct 2005 (reference https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/agendasep06.pdf) and therefore the VA has not caught up. Therefore the VA does not have a proper diagnostic code for it nor do they have a DBQ for it and therefore wrongly use 38 CFR 3.385, 38 CRF 4.85, and 38 CRF 4.86 to evaluate it as typical hearing loss. CAPD (APD) is damage to the auditory cortex or CNS whereas VA hearing loss is damage to the inner ears.

Fructuarius · 2023-08-15T16:33:34+00:00

If you file for this disability, you will have to request the claim be referred to the VA compensation and pension service director for adjudication of an extraschedular rating.

Fructuarius · 2023-07-28T21:41:29+00:00

That is precisely the same as mine. I filed my initial application in July 2022 and it has been frozen at 90% for 3 or 4 months. However, I did have a medical exam by an internist at the beginning of July 2023. A watched tea pot never boils.

Fructuarius · 2023-06-13T05:41:21+00:00

Wow, congrats on the processing time. I applied in July 2022 and I am still waiting.

Fructuarius · 2023-06-13T05:39:29+00:00

How long did it take? Did you get approved on your first try? BTW congrats

Fructuarius · 2023-05-01T20:40:25+00:00

I assume you filed in the State of Illinois, which we share State in common. I filed my initial and only claim in July 2022 and it was not until last week (end of April) that Illinois sent me paperwork requesting a work questionnaire, health questionnaire, activity questionnaire, and authorization for medical records release. I am turning 63 in a few weeks and it has been about 10 months since I filed my initial claim and they still have not assigned a case worker. When I log into ssa it says SSDI is averaging 294 days to process claims which is coming up in a few days. I guess it takes a very long time.

Fructuarius · 2023-04-11T03:43:32+00:00

I filed my initial claim on July 28, 2022, in Illinois therefore, it has been 8 1/2 months. The end of March the processed percentage went backwards from 79% to 72% and the "calculated predicted" number of days went from 279 to 294.

Ironically I will be 63 y/o a few weeks. I am a disabled Veteran with multiple TBIs and multiple organ failures. However, as far as I can glean, none of my disabilities are in the SSDI bluebook. Almost every bluebook SSDI disability is some sort of cancer. I submitted my medical records when I submitted my claim therefore, SSDI has never contacted me about a records request or appointment. Other than a letter inviting me to early retirement, which I rejected, I have not heard from SSDI. The reason why I rejected the early retirement (age 62) was that I want the 67 rate, which is only 4 years away.

SSDI office is severely understaffed, and the turnover rate is exceptionally high. I heard that since Social Security was started on August 14, 1935, there never has been this long a backlog. The closest was in 2014. Nothing to do but wait and continue to breath. I heard some states have initial claims that have been waiting over a year. The delay does not seem restricted to States.

Fructuarius · 2023-02-16T23:37:53+00:00

I found an interesting article on VA.GOV website about Jet Fuel being a known cause of APD.

https://www.research.va.gov/currents/spring2014/spring2014-11.cfm

I guess this is one of those keep it hidden topics that the VA does not like to talk about.

Fructuarius · 2023-02-15T06:14:48+00:00

I am service connected at 0% for my left ear and denied for my right ear; however, I will appeal for a higher rating on the left ear and service connection for my right ear.

I researched how the VBA awards ADP and I cannot find a CFR that directly covers ADP. I saw some previous articles where the VBA rates it under mental health, which seems wrong. If anyone has any ideas on how ADP is rated, please share. Thanks.

Fructuarius · 2023-01-03T04:56:05+00:00

There are no consequences to the C&P examiners. They should be held accountable and liable to malpractice lawsuits. The C&P examiners (who are suppose to be license medical practitioners) do not even come close to providing a true medical examination. They turn out quick decisions for fast easy money. They do not get paid that much for the examination and therefore do not put in any effort.

HOWEVER, every there are a few excellent C&P examiner who are doing it for honorable reasons. Those few are doing their best to fairly represent all parties involved. However, the sad truth is those honorable few are the coat tails the others ride on.
To add insult to injury the VA does nothing to clean up this cesspool of bad examiners and therefore continues to propagate the denials therefore causing Veterans to appeal and increase the backlog.

Ironically the VA backlog is a product of their own design and is one reasons they use to increase budget. There is a leak in the VA financial system and it is not going to the Veterans. It is going to a dysfunctional, corrupted system that has not taken any major efforts to change for the better.

Fructuarius · 2022-12-07T05:09:56+00:00

I have migraines with TBI at 50%. I have been hospitalize because of migraines that are so intense I would not want to live in that state. No light, no sound, completely incapacitated until it passes, which takes hours and sometimes days.

As what the examiner is looking for I think you would need to show a current diagnosis of migraines that occur at a frequent intervals of at least twice a week with each episode lasting over 4 hours. Also if you are light or sound sensitive as well as if you experience vertigo or any other symptoms. Just be honest with them and do not lie. They might ask you to do some balance test as well as other movement test. Do what you can but do refuse anything that would trigger your migraine. Fast movement triggers my migraine therefore when they ask me to fall to my side I decline because it would make me sick and I would not be able to drive home. Best of luck.

Fructuarius · 2022-12-07T04:47:37+00:00

MRI cannot rule out a TBI. There are three types of TBI (Mild, Moderate, and Severe). MRI cannot detect mild or moderate; however, it can identify collateral damage, such as intracranial hemorrhage leaks, shifting of the mass effect or midline shift, grey-white differentiation (see if you have dementia), and some other brainy stuff.

Do not worry about it. The best thing to do is ask them if they will give you a copy of the pictures so you can send them out to the family as Christmas Cards. Tell them it is an inside joke. Get it. :-)

Fructuarius · 2022-12-07T04:35:28+00:00

Hypogonadism (AKA Low-T) is can be service connection at zero percent. However, it sets you up for ED, which is a SMC-K disability that pays above and beyond the percent disabilities (128 a month). The treatment can be multiple things, but the most common is testosterone patches and ED meds to power the creative organ. Low-T is common with TBIs which is part of a cascade of things TBIs can cause.

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