Movement!

[AFMedic09]

So, I filed my claim with St. Pete RO Jan 24th, 2011. C&P's in March 2011 and stayed in Gathering Evidence until March 22,2012 when it moved to Preperation for decision. Today I checked and it says Pending Decision Approval. Ok, I admit they told me Prep. for decision was taking 70 days in my RO...this has been just over 30. My stomach is in knots. No new forms under my download forms....

I know it could go back, I expect I am going to be disappointed when the decision comes in, but the waiting...the waiting is KILLER. UGH. THANK YOU GOD for some movement though! I'd like to get the decision and know what kind of battle I have ahead.

According to my conditions, and the 38, I expect 50% to be a fair rating. However, I know fair isn't what the VA tries to give you. They want you to have the smallest rating possible, IF they even SC your conditions. Such a frustrating process. I am just staying in prayer, and TRYING to let it go. This is really gut wrenching.

[carlie]

My biggest goal is to have savings when this is all said and done.

For the above you are going to have to spend with extreme caution.

Maybe plan now on something like - no matter what the amount is of retro,

take 25 percent of it and put it right into savings that has money market

attached to it and promise yourself not to take anything from it for a minimum of one year.

I did this for myself (actually about 48 percent) and have had absolutely no regrets.

I know it might be easy to justify and say to ourselves -

well there really wasn't that much money from my retro and I needed to do

X - Y - Z . . .

Truly one of the first rules of being a saver - is to pay savings FIRST, before anything else.

Even if it's not a large amount.

Also, you can go to your bank where you have your VA comp direct deposited to and

have them open you up a savings account and for example whatever amount your monthly

VA comp is - tell them an amount to transfer each month - the day after your deposit hits -

to your savings account. Even if you can do $10 - $25 - $50 or $100 - start with something

and over time as you pay off more bills you can increase the transfer amount a bit.

Even if you start small - stick with it. When you want to buy little things that are like only 3 or 4 bucks,

evaluate - do I need this - if not - don't spend it. It is real important in savings to work on good money habits.

One of our members here kind of has a family policy that the last week of each month - they don't spend ANY money.

I've been trying to apply this to my life - but ... but ... but ... : - )

Right now we are trying to not buy any fast food or additional groceries for one week

and work on what we already have in the house - we are doing OK so far . . .

Hell - there's enough food in this house for at least 3 weeks or more.

I'm wishing the best for you and trying to encourage you for your best interest.

[AFMedic09]

What AWESOME ideas!!! I can't wait to share this with my hubby! You are so right. I need to just set a %, which I would LIKE to be at least 25% or my retro. Such great ideas. We have been under such financial stress as my ex-husband hasn't paid child support in almost 3 years, and my hubby was a full time substitute this year, but did not get paid for any of the weeks or days off. Next year he has a teaching offer! (God is GOOD!) The ex is still a deadbeat, but this VA award softens that blow. :) I just want to be able to pay for car repairs or an emergency, and that is what I'd like to have savings for. Thank you so much for the suggestions, and I will DEFFINITELY use them. :)

[AFMedic09]

Ok, so this morning I checked ebene. and the AB8 letter was there along with a few others. 40%. Claim status shows: Gathering of Evidence. I called "Peggy", but she didn't have any insight. I will have to wait on the letter from the VA, which "Peggy" said hasn't been finalized yet. *sigh* I think I need anxiety meds.......

[carlie]

The ex is still a deadbeat, but this VA award softens that blow. :)

I just want to be able to pay for car repairs or an emergency, and that is what I'd like to have savings for.

The extra cash from additional dependent comp will surely come in handy : - )

[AFMedic09]

It certainly does! :-) My children are still young, so it is $30.00/child at this point. I do not besmirch that at ALL. I am thankful for the rating I have received thus far. Will await my envelope to see what if anything was deferred (causing my claim to be in gathering evidence instead of closed right now...) and if I should NOD any decisions they have made. I have a couple difficult issues, that I feel I should be rated for (fairly). If not, I will NOD and fight 'til the end. I will update when I get my packet. :-) Thank you for the encouragement!!

[#1Cavtrooper]

Hello AFMedic09, In answer to your question in Success stories, my claim is still in prep for decisision (has been since Dec 14, 2011). They tell you 54 day avg in that phase for Houston. Lol.... May 14, 2012 will be 5 months in that phase. Oh, well......

Edited May 1, 2012 by #1Cavtrooper