Thanks for the info Bill. My exams (C&P) were done by July 19, 2007 and I got the envelope Nov. 30, 2007. I went thru the VA in Salt Lake City for the C&P part. I'll have to check to see what my last statement regarding projected benefits from the Social Security Administration was. From filing till now (I began the whole thing in Austin, TX)it appears my retro will be something over $16,000, so I'm definitely not complaining, down to 84 cents in my checking account at the moment.
Once again, thank you very much for answering my questions.