khardbored

Words of wisdom! Thanks a bunch for all the support and stuff everyone. I really do appreciate it. Now if I can just get my kids to stop asking me about the money.

I just checked my bank account and they have deposited the usual 30% amount of 300 some. It was posted today which never happens. It's -always- on the first, like clockwork. Not sure if that means anything, the fact that they did it early? Shrug. I'm too impatient I guess.

I got another letter today, a thick one, explaining how much I will be getting, my depenednts and all of that stuff. They said from Sep. of 2004 to may 16th 2006 I will get 70% and from may 16th to now I will get 100%. Now, do I take away the 30% they have already been giving me? So 40% and 70% is what they will give me for my retro? Also, is my effective date the first date I got my 30? It also said it should take 15 days from my effective date to get my money, but I don't understand my effective date. Is that the date the judge signed off on the decision? I hate being old and dumb...

Thank you all so much for the replies. It's helped put my mind at ease. Anyone know just how much 100 percent even is? One of my service buddies said it is 2200, but I've been told hundreds of different things, so I'm not too sure what it is or if it varies per person... Thanks again guys, I mean it.

I officially started receiving my 30% around March of 2004. I appealed that right away and finally got the approval today. My wife, kids, everyone are still doubtful that I'll even get backpay. The VA has been either really awesome or complete BS, so we really don't know what to think anymore. We're praying we get at least 20,000 back pay so we can move out of this bug-ridden place and actually live like normal people again. What is the VARO anyway? Also, the judge signed it on June 13th, so would it be ok to think that I may have some extra money come the first? Thats when they direct deposit my 300 some bucks...

I've been reading through this board for quite some time. It's given me hope in my 5 year long claims/appeals process. So let me give you a little bit of the history first. I'm a Vietnam Veteran, '68-'70, and decided (about 5 years ago) to try and get some benefits. I never thought it would ever work, or was worth it, but my wife finally convinced my crazy ass to at least try. So, I go in and they evaluate me to all hell and back and give me an initial GAF score of 49 and 30%. I appealed this and they denied it. I appealed it again and have been waiting for about 2 years on a decision. Oh man can they shuffle you around, yikes. Anyway, I recieved the big brown envelope today and just figured it was a newsletter or something. The front page said " Dear Appellent, The board of appeals has made a decision on your case". Then for about 5 pages it talks about what my shrink said and all kinds of stuff that is beyond me. Then it comes to the "Conclusion" page and it says stuff like "In light of the foregoing, the board concludes that the criteria for entitlement to an intitial 70% evaluation for PTSD, prior to may 16 2006, and an initial 100% for PTSD from May 16 2006, have been met." Then it says a bunch of stuff I don't understand then at the end of the page it says Inasmuch as the evidence in this case supports the veterans claims, such claim must be granted...then on the second to the last page it says ""Order"": An initial 70% evaluation for PTSD prior to may 16th 2006 is granted subject to statutory and regulatory provisions goverening the payment of monetary benefits" Then it says the same thing about 100% and then a Veterans Law Judge signed it. Does this mean I finally get my well deserved 100%? If so, how much back do I get? Do I 100% backpay from may 16th 2006 till now and 70% before that? This is all so confusing, sigh. I hate this legalize talk, can someone put it in "dumb old guy" for me? Thanks a bunch!