How to Win Survey Results August 2014    William Fish  Branch: Marine Corps Non-milgnant Thyorid Nodular Disease I participated on April 18,1953 in Upshot-Knothole Series Shot Badger a (23kt) tower shot detonation, 4000 yards from ground zero in area 2, at Nevada's atomic bomb testing site. Due to being an onsite-participant I received several disease's related to radiation and toxic fallout from the atomic bomb. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, I  filed for monetary compensation for a Non-malignant Thyroid Nodular Disease associated with radiation from the atomic bomb tests. In 2014 I received a notice of denial on my Thyroid claim. It's a shame that Atomic Veterans are denied monetary compensation while the STDs Veterans are getting disability payments for sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, genital herpes) they contacted or aggravated, while in service. Agent Orange Veterans are getting compensation for the their diseases that were caused by herbicides that were sprayed on plants. Q? Why do the Atomic Veterans have to wait for their non-presumptive disease turns to cancer before they can receive compensation? Why do we have an elapse-time on our non-presumptive disease list? While the Agent Orange Veterans and the STDs Veterans are excluded? It's a dam shame our Atomic Veterans our being denied their monetary compensation, while other Veterans are not. It's time our President and our Congress (Dem - Rep) pass a law that will give us the monetary compensation we have earned. We served our Country with Honor, Duty and Pride. Thomas Yaron Branch: Air Force VA Compensation I was a very fortunate person.  I started the process in 2008 while still on active duty.  The TAPs person introduced me to a former VA adjudicator and she did a fantastic job at identifying, wording, and organizing the records for review.  When I was discharged, I had my first appointment three weeks after getting out, and had the VA decision three weeks before my official discharge date.  I only had one disagreement with their decision, and I challenged it.  Within 40 days, I had a "redecision" and all was well.  Getting a VA appointment after getting the decision was more of a hassle then what it was worth. Ultimately received 80%. Richard Felty Branch: Navy  Disability Compensation  I applied for an increase in disability benefits, I called the VA  in San Francisco and in Philadelphia, got a goose chase. Did all the jumps through the VA loops all the VA appointments and provided evidence. A year and a half  later while VA employers were  getting paid Bonus's  I had enough. I contacted Sen. Patty Murray. Of Washington state  who in turn contacted a Congressional Advocate to the VA AND WITHIN A WEEK TO 10 days the VA  approved and increased my claim to 90 % from 30% and both the Navy and the VA paid me back pay after being put off for over a year and a half. I believe the employees and the directors of VA hospitals got paid for NOT filing claims so their Units looked good.

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