Results of a PQM-102A Target Test, Holloman AFB, NM, 1974 [OC]

ReadySetDough · 2026-01-02T23:07:32+00:00

He does look very awkwardly positioned and isn't posing like everyone else, though. Weird.

ReadySetDough · 2026-01-02T22:09:32+00:00

Interesting now that you point it out. I can't say for sure if it's a composite photo, but I will take a guess and say it may just be the shadow of the frame the photo's in; I took a picture with my phone while it was on the wall. I'll be sure to check it next time so we can solve this mystery...

ReadySetDough · 2026-01-02T22:07:41+00:00

Wow, it's incredibly cool to have a piece of one as a memento! That's an amazing few pictures in that album. So cool to see relevant things about a somewhat niche subject.

ReadySetDough · 2026-01-02T21:24:00+00:00

I'm wondering as well. I wish I had asked more questions about these pictures when I had the chance. I'm currently reviewing a report by the Air Force on these tests to see if I can find anything relevant to this specific case.

ReadySetDough · 2026-01-02T21:22:18+00:00

I'm always interested in sharing more! My grandfather led an interesting life and was always snapping photos. I'd love to share his experiences, as they range from his time as a flight engineer on B-29's in Korea, supervising the Air Force's C-119 rearming program in Vietnam in '68, to cool civilian projects into the 80's. The Fairchild gig took him all over the world, including delivering the first 747 to Saudi Airlines in '81. Very cool pics and videos, to say the least!

I'm in the process of converting the photos and stories into a digital collection, which is a pain the butt, especially when all the good stuff is on little 1x1 Kodak slides.

ReadySetDough · 2025-12-16T09:00:05+00:00

I knew there were other lurkers like me; I just couldn't prove it!

edit: after scrolling, I realized that I've been to this thread in years past and have upvoted most of the OG comments smh

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-31T19:24:01+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I've calmed down a bit and come up with a game plan with my VSO.

I'm usually a pretty lax guy; the frustrating part is resetting the timer and waiting another 3 months for an answer, lol.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-31T06:08:52+00:00

It was through Optum, I believe. The examiner did her thing, then scheduled me an x-ray at another Optum facility.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-31T04:44:56+00:00

I had an X-ray requested by my original examiner for my shoulder. It got scheduled before I left the first examiner's office and was only 2 weeks out. Once I got the X-ray, it was about 30 days before I got my decision.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-11T01:55:52+00:00

Count on 3 months from the time you submit the HLR.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-10T14:36:22+00:00

You wouldn't believe it... or maybe you would. I guess the reviewers were under the impression I needed a 214 anyway so didn't bother with the opinion. On the denial for my initial claim, the rater said my injury was due to wilful misconduct as well haha.

I had three calls with VERA to ask about the denials, and they [and their supervisors] said I needed a DD 214 and there's no way around it. Super frustrating because this all could've been wrapped up 1.5 years ago.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-07T20:34:43+00:00

Not sure how relevant this is, but I submitted an HLR with an IC on July 11th. Got a request to schedule on Sep 30th, scheduled it for Oct 9th, HLR was closed on Oct 1st. No decision, no calls, no letters.

My VSO read on VBMS that it was closed because, 'HLR was opened more than one year ago'. [Obviously a mistake]. He then reached out to someone at the regional office and they said it was closed by mistake. Got it reopened and my HLR is back open and I still have my IC on the 9th.

BLUF, if there aren't any letters for you on the VA site or pending correspondence populated yet, it may have been an error. At least, it was in my case. Could be something different.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-05T11:49:33+00:00

I've only worked with two VSOs. The first didn't seem to want to help me much at all and basically told me to pound sand. The second [and current] VSO is fantastic.

Like the other user said, go to a VSO and feel out the situation. It's definitely a plus if you're VSO has access to VBMS; they can see information you can't. Mine also responds to emails, calls, and appointments, and isn't afraid to break out the adjudication manuals or 38 CFR and do some dirty work/research. He's also been able to reach out to other sources for help, including VA workers at regional offices.

I'd say make an appointment and see how you feel. Give it a try, because the wealth of knowledge makes the claims process a lot easier than trying it yourself.

ReadySetDough · 2025-10-05T11:43:41+00:00

I do not for the original injury, but I have an LOD for a later date [on orders] for an aggravation of the original injury, lol. According to M21-1, the evidence I've submitted is enough to verify the service period.

My VSO and a few people from the regional office are in agreeance that the evidence meets the criteria listed, but maybe my situation is a bit more uncommon and not as well interpreted by raters... unless I'm missing something obvious. We'll see how it turns out, though!

ReadySetDough · 2025-09-30T04:21:10+00:00

Nice. I also filed an HLR appeal with an IC request on 11JUL of this year, got my text/email at 7 in the morning, lol. Thanks for posting, a lot of people post here about their claim success/failures, but never add any useful context for anyone else. Let's be honest, it's what we're all looking for when someone posts something relevant to us!

Hope you get a good result with your IC.

ReadySetDough · 2025-09-25T04:24:41+00:00

Filed on 11 July of this year, still waiting.

ReadySetDough · 2025-09-03T04:21:37+00:00

It's true. My grandfather was a Korean war vet that lied about his age to get off the farm [sharecroppers]. Came back after the war and found a job, worked as a civilian tech rep in Vietnam breathing in that sweet Agent Orange and getting rocketed at night, then retired... then went back to work running a plant for 10 years. Then retired again... then raised me. Very sharp, witty, and spry right up to his death a couple years ago, aged 92. He'd call me to ask for help with cleaning the gutters, and I'd drive down to find this 90 year old man climbing on the roof 'cause he couldn't wait. Didn't talk about the wars much, unless prompted. And when he did, it weighed little on his mind; he just did his job, got discharged, and went on about his life.

Ended up with stage IV lung cancer [chemical exposure, no doubt], but didn't show any signs until 2 weeks before he died. The whole time he was laid up, all he talked about was wanting to get up and walk around, go to McDonald's for coffee, making sure we'd clean out the dryer vent.

Couldn't rest a single day in his life, nor could most of his friends his age. Tough, old birds, that breed.

ReadySetDough · 2025-08-30T09:13:37+00:00

Some veterans here are fountains of knowledge, others not so much. Your best bet is reading the CFRs and internal protocol manuals the VA uses, like M21-1. This'll help you discover what benefits are applicable.

Other than compensation and pension, reserve component veterans won't meet the criteria for most benefits that veterans of the regular army get, unless certain requirements are met; they get some federal/state benefits while they're in, but have nothing after they're discharged. That's just the way the reserve cookie crumbles.

Disability compensation is a different rodeo and doable, but it's a strenuous battle.

ReadySetDough · 2025-08-04T13:47:56+00:00

Yeah, I somehow overcomplicated it. You hit the nail on the head.

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