John, you are absolutely correct. I just called the VA and they said they sent it to Seattle because the claim has a Dec. 14th "suspend date," meaning that they have until that time to finalize the claim. The rep told me that the AZ, RO sent it to Seattle because the RO there was less busy. She also said they sent my determination letter yesterday, and I should have it in my hands by early next week.
BTW, I pay the child support and spousal support directly from my pay to the state of PA. I incurred two overpayment from my G.I. Bill a couple of years ago. I started classes and did not complete them. In the state that I was in, I just kept collecting the checks, but was too drunk/lazy/depressed to go to school. They are right to deduct that from my comp & pen. I don't like blaming everything that goes wrong in my life on bipolar. Mental illness or not, at some point, I must take personal responsibility for the things I screw up and I'm doing that now by paying my debts and making amends to the people I've harmed in my life. I am fighting the apportionment, because my ex-wife is "double-dipping" by getting the child/spousal support that I pay directly to PA and taking the apportionment. I was told that I will win the apportionment battle, but that it will take a few months to complete, just like all claims do. I also have to deal with the state of PA on the spousal support issue, becasue as I said, we've been divorced for 11 years. I pay it now because I don't want a warrant hanging over my head for failure to pay.
As always, Thank You.