Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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juststartn
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 12:06pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

DH is going to have a coronary. The stress is going to simply kill him...

I called the VA today. Good news--someone is actually looking at his file. Actually laying eyes on the information and then making some decisions about the percentage of disability he qualifies for. BAD NEWS: First they have to do it, then it has to be reviewed, and we're looking at another 6-7 wks.

We've been dealing with this since mid-March. Mid June, he had his last Exam, it took them til mid-July to get all of his records in order, and until last week to actually get someone to look at them!

We are squeezing blood from a turnip. I don't know what I am going to do about the first of the month bills, and feeding everyone is going to become more challenging, not less. Beans all around, and rice, too. Ugh. DH is going to have to adjust his expectations ALOT in that department.

PLEASE pray that it doesn't take that long. DH doesn't know yet (I called his cell, but it went to voicemail). He's going to have to see about taking on some more overtime, but I don't know how much of that he's going to be able to do...between what is available, what he's allowed, and what he will be able physically to do...

Thanks..

Rachel

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Michaela
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 12:25pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela

Continuing to pray for your family and for a speedy review of your husband's medical records. (((Rachel)))


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Michaela
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 12:57pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela

Rachel, I was looking around on line for info on the average length of time it takes to receive VA disability, and found information about having a case manager to help.

Do you have a case manager assigned to you?



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juststartn
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 1:11pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

The reason for a case manager is mostly to make sure you file your claim correctly-we did. The case manager was back in NC, and we're in OK with no new one local to the regional office (they don't overlap).

SIGHHHHHH. And calling the state senators and such to get them involved is not a good idea at all, cause then the case gets hauled around and stalled on and takes even longer than it would have if we'd just keep our mouths shut and pray HARD...

I've got every one of our patron saints, little Ava, the Blessed Mother, and every friend I can think of praying on this...

Its been my intention during the consecration at Mass now for weeks...

Don't suppose anyone wants/needs any smocked dresses for little girls wearing 3Ts-6s? I've been clearing out the girls' closet, to try and get rid of the stuff they don't wear, and I've got a slew of dresses to sell/pack up...I've got pics of some, but if someone was interested, I'd be willing to take pics of others, too...
They were worn for Mass, and nothing else, so they've had very little wear...

Rachel

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Cay Gibson
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 1:18pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

Rachel,
I am so sorry to hear all this.
You are in my continued prayers.

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KC in TX
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 3:58pm | IP Logged Quote KC in TX

Did you try your US Senator or Congressman? It IS an election year after all.

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JSchaaf
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 4:58pm | IP Logged Quote JSchaaf

I would call your Congressman. We received actual help with our international adoption, and it was quick, too! Also contact the local office of the McCain campaign. If you get a phone bank volunteer, ask to speak to a campaign aide. Then I would go to your local media.

You'll be in our prayers!1

Jennifer
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juststartn
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 8:34pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

The problem with getting the elected officials involved is that it takes LONGER...the file gets yanked and goes thru a whole moving process. Usually goes to DC (where the requester is), and then gets maneuvered thru the ridiculously slow DC office (more than 50% of their claims take longer than 6 mos, as opposed to the 12% in my regional office in Muskogee).

So we're stuck. We've got to wait. And pray that it doesn't take so long...

Rachel

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juststartn
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Posted: Sept 17 2008 at 8:36pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

Some people aren't as fortunate as we are, and it takes YEARS for them to get just their exams all done and filed properly...THEN they start the rating process, and potential appeals, etc.

So, while overall, we're not doing half bad, we're still not doing half "good", either...

Kwim?

Please, just pray...that's all I ask...pray it doesn't take that long. For some folks, it takes a month. Which would be three weeks from now....hard, but we can deal. Double that, and...

Rachel

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crusermom
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Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 8:09am | IP Logged Quote crusermom

Oh, I am so sorry. I would encourage you to keep calling. I know in the Army, often things were put in inboxes, etc and just sat. Having someone pick it up every few days and tracking it is a very good idea. At least it won't get lost - which can also happen. I don't think calling your Senator is a good idea. I agree that it would take longer. That might work if yours was taking a much longer time than others - there are just lots of veterans out there filing right now.

I am praying that this all works out soon for you. Would you then get back pay? I hope so.

Mary

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Martha
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Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 9:06am | IP Logged Quote Martha

call
every
single
day
until
it's
done

because I do declare I think they don't ever pick up files unless someone is asking aobut them.

this is what several friends have had to do.

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juststartn
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Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 3:02pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

PLEASE ramp up the prayers! I called the VA again today, and discovered that there has been a change. Of course, they won't tell ME what it is (privacy act issues) and so I had to have DH call.

Apparently, the actual rating is done. It is now going to the reviewer...which means it will be at least another week before we hear anything firm. But hey, its a step closer. The reviewer is the last step before it is finalized, so we realllllly want them to hurry up.

As it was, my mom has offered to loan us some money (how much I don't know yet) until we get the VA monies. But ugh...

Thanks for your prayers, plllleeeeassseee keep them coming!!

Rachel

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