Wnchstr

Hi All, I'm not sure where else to post this question, so I decided here would be the best choice. I retired on July 31, 2009. I submitted my paperwork to retire in January 2009. In June 2009, the law was announced that if you were on active duty on August 1, 2009, you would be 'grandfathered' into the "New" Post 9/11 GI Bill that allowed the benefit to be transferred to dependents. I was not able to adjust my retirement date because I was using my leave. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to request a waiver or if you think it was even possible? Thanks for any suggestions.

Glad to hear you are back in the saddle. Such great news this Thanksgiving week and going into the holidays. We all have so much to be thankful for. Thanks for your service.

I would apply for social security and the TDIU. Be very specific in the SS paperwork they send. Give lots of examples of how you are affected, how your family is affected and how it affects your social (or in my case, lack of social) interaction with the public and life in general. Mine was approved just at the 6 month mark. SS doesn't pay for the first 5 months after you file. I'm also rated for 70% PTSD, but that was the main cause for not working anymore. My psych wrote a letter that I included in my SS paperwork recommending I not work anymore due to my PTSD. It took another 10 months for the VA to catch up and grant my TDIU P&T. Good luck and congrats on your speedy decision. Keep us posted. Thanks for your service.

With our claim, it sat at pending decision approval for three weeks. I figured it was taking so long because we would be due a large backpay ($20,000) if approved and would have to be 'signed off' by a bunch of people. I kept saying 'No news is good news'. It sat in pending notification for another week and a half. Then the end of August it hit E-Bennie's. Claim closed and I could see the letters (Commissary, ID's etc.) Under the letter generator it had the monthly amount shown. We're still sighing relief and can't believe it's finally over. Here's hoping you have a similar outcome! This is just my opinion, but it seems the claims examiner's are under such pressure to relieve the backlog, they are looking at the cases as a whole and are not being so critical, trying to 'find' a reason to deny the claims. Good luck and we're rooting for you. In any case, thanks for your service.

I'm so happy for you! What a wonderful surprise to get! I'm glad the VA is moving on many of the claims that are so old and making positive decisions on clear facts in the file instead of questioning everything. Make sure you check your state bennie's as well. To my surprise, my state (CA) exempts 100% of property taxes up to $122,000. Waiting on a refund check for $1200 for this year. Thanks for your service and posting your super news! Wnchstr

Congrats. I'm happy for you. Wnchstr

Congrats! I still get chills when I think about everything being done. Got to do some 'frivolous' spending this past weekend. Felt so good. I'm happy your day has come and fight with the VA is over too. Wnchstr

Good Morning All, Retro hit the bank this morning. Wasn't quite what the numbers they provided were, but after going back in Ebennies there was another retro about a month after the last one hit. Maybe now things will start to settle down into a smoother routine. Thanks again to all.

Thanks free_spirit_etc...like everyone else that's had a positive outcome I'm still trying to process it all. After re-reading multiple times I also read I'm P&T. I'm so thankful this process is over. I just processed my disabled veteran homeowner's exemption which exempts the first $137,000. I'll update if they give it to me retro and get a refund from them...not holding my breath, but it would be nice.

Well, the 'official letter' came yesterday. Granted IU and the effective date is May 31, 2012. A few things surprised me... Dependents are eligible for DEA...for whatever reason, I was under the impression that only the fully rated 100% P&T got the additional benefits. Can someone provide info on how much DEA pays? Is it for tuition only or is it to offset the cost of going to school? I read the pamphlet and it didn't help. It says that the VA withheld $65 for Military Retired Pay Witholding from 07/01/12 and was stopped on 08/01/13. This next part scares me..."If your VA compensation is greater than your retired pay, we will pay you compensation, and you will not receive retired pay." Did my $1900 retired pay just go away? I'm so confused...what about all the retired pay I received during that time? On a good note, it says "No examination will be scheduled in the future." Thanks again to everyone.

I hadn't realized about the effective date until you mentioned it Berta and Carlie, I'm hoping it's an 'Ebennies' issue and not the real case. Under 'Download VA Letters' this is what it shows... Benefit Summary -Create a Benefit Summary Letter to show you are receiving certain benefits from VA. Benefit Verification - Send this letter to confirm details about the VA benefit that you are currently receiving. Commissary - Send this letter to confirm that you are entitled to receive commissary store and exchange privileges from the Armed Forces. Related: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card - DEERS Download and complete this form to apply for the Uniformed Services Identification Card and/or DEERS Enrollment. Disabled Veteran's Civil Service Preference - Send this letter to establish your Veteran's preference for civil service employment. Related:Application for 10 Point Preference - Send this form if you are applying for Federal jobs and want to apply an additional 10-point examination credit based on your military service or that of a spouse or child. Service Verification - Send this letter to confirm your Branch of Service, Date Entered on Active Duty, and Date Discharged from Active Duty. Veteran Proof of Service - Create a Proof of Service card to confirm you've honorably served in the Armed Forces. Even though it's not rated for IU...it shows the commissary available to use...or am I wrong on that one? Either way, I'll update once the full explanation shows up. It's coming from Huntington WV because the claim was 'brokered' there from the Los Angeles VA office in September of last year. Thanks to everyone. This is such a powerful resource for all Vets and their families.

It took from May 30 2012 to August 2013.

I just logged into Ebennie's to check the status of the claim. I got annoyed because it said my status was 'unavailable at this time'. So...being the good hadit reader I am, I decided to check the AB8 letter. BOOM!! There it was...100% pay! Effective date August 01, 2013. I'm so relieved...last time when the claim jumped to 80% the back pay didn't hit until mid November. I'm just glad it's done. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Hi All, Moved to 'Preparation for Notification this afternoon'...took about 3 weeks to get to this...hoping for the best.

Thanks. I appreciate the insight. Will keep everyone posted.