21 replies to this topic

[midnight340]

Today I come home and check ebenefits to find my claim "Closed" and the download VA letters showing two new letters.... one is a Benefit Verification AB8 letter showing 100% disability payment amount, with a effective date of Dec. 1, 2011, the other is the Disabled Veteran Civil Service Preference AB4 .

CAN I TRUST THIS?

My bank is not yet showing the retro, and I have not received my decision packet yet either. I have read many times to not trust ebenefits..... But what about the letters? ....the benefit letter states:

"This letter certifies that xxxxxxxxxxx is receiving service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

I don't know whether to stress out even more, or to consider celebrating.

Edited by midnight340, 28 July 2012 - 10:12 PM.

[Hamslice]

I have never had a problem with the letter generator. I does show early most of the time. It used to show $ amount and % of disablility, however they dropped the disability % from the letter.

You can go to the benifit Explorer and it may show you at 100% also. That would help quantify your 100%.

Anyway, congradulations,

Hamslice

[midnight340]

Thanks Hamslice, I went to benefits Explorer and it also shows 100%...... After all I have been through (like a lot of you!) I stil find it difficult to trust any of this. This being Sunday, I can't even wait for the mail.

All this is very encouraging, but I guess I will need my envelope or the money in the bank to be sure?

[broncovet]

Midnight...
Assume the best, but prepare for the worst. I agree that the AB8 letters seem pretty reliable, but they are part of an unreliable ebenefits system.

You can make a list..of your most urgent things to spend the money on, and prioritize them, reminding you that you probably wont be getting another retro check, so when this ones gone, its gone forever.

Relax, spend time fishing, with your Grand kids, going to church, etc, to occupy your time during the wait..dont just watch the mailbox because
"the watched pot never boils".
JOVO

[deanbrt]

. I found out this way and the formal letter arrived the next day. Celebrate.

[steve&pat]

CHRIS--- likewise I say its time to CELEBRATE - STEVE & PAT

[midnight340]

Broncovet, deanburt.... thanks for the response. I so want to celebrate... but this has been so damn stressful for me, and a rocky path in so many ways.... I will work on my list of how to carefully deal with the retro, but can't seem to trust it all as of yet. Guess I need to see the letter or the money. But I am very encouraged, and relaxing some.

Steve (steve&pat) especially thanks to you and Pat. I don't know how I could have done this without your help. And it was so good to hear from you since you were there and understood what I was talking about. Thanks again. And to hadit for making the contact possible!!!

I will post in Success Stories when I get the money or letter.

If anyone knows more about how legal, trustworthy the posting of the EB8, EB4 in the documents is, (along with benefits Explorer showing 100%).... I welcome response. After all the crushed hope the first round, many of you can understand my hesitation to feel like this is real.

[#1Cavtrooper]

Looks like you've hit a GRAND SLAM!

[deanbrt]

Was there a commissary letter, too? That would imply P&T, also.

[deanbrt]

We paid all of the debt and were surprised at how much it was. Whey you can't pay it you try your damnedest to ignore it.

[midnight340]

YES, there was a commissary letter stating:

"This total disability is considered permanent. You are not scheduled for future examinations."

I am starting to believe this might be real!!!!!!!!

[Theblaze]

Also keep an eye on the VA Payment History page.

I've found that payment amounts, including retro, will often show there before they hit the bank...

I am cautiously congratulatory !!!

[midnight340]

Still no money in bank or showing up on history of payments.... but I expect it will come on the 1st of the month. (as I stated on another post...) But I will keep checking the payment history for sure.

[bm6546]

I have never had a problem with the letter generator. I does show early most of the time. It used to show $ amount and % of disablility, however they dropped the disability % from the letter.

You can go to the benifit Explorer and it may show you at 100% also. That would help quantify your 100%.

Anyway, congradulations,

Hamslice

Whre do you find Benefit Explorer? Is that on E Benefits somewhere?

[midnight340]

yes, you find it when you click on "your personal dashboard" then below and to the left you will see a link to benefit Exlplorer. Apparently your current rating will show up there as default setting.... so this will show you what your rating is... sometimes before you know from the mail or deposits. This is what I am told anyway...

[deanbrt]

• Second Class Petty Officers
• 
• 100 posts

• Service Connected Disability: None
• Branch of Service: USN

Posted 29 July 2012 - 07:03 PM
YES, there was a commissary letter stating:

"This total disability is considered permanent. You are not scheduled for future examinations."

I am starting to believe this might be real!!!!!!!!

You hit the home run, buddy!!!!
You hit the home run, b

• Quote
• MultiQuote

[deanbrt]

There should have been a download letter for a Uniformed Services ID card, too. I got mine today. Start working on CHAMPVA application for your wife.

If the retro is large is may take a little while. I think over $25,000 it needs a lot of sign offs...

[mags1023]

Did your official letter come yet?? Looks like you are going to get to 100%. Congrats!!

[deanbrt]

Yes. And my retro,too....

[midnight340]

So I managed to get a couple of threads going, but YES my white envelope came and confirmed the 100% P&T. By now it is soaking in (bank account helps!!!) and the long journey with so much stress is finally over. I am so very, very thankful and relaxing a little more every day....and feeling more positive than I can ever remember.

Maybe I can even ease up on the meds! :-)

ALSO: for those who are waiting and wondering, I do believe that once the VA letters are posted on ebenefits, you can indeed trust them.

Edited by midnight340, 04 August 2012 - 10:16 PM.

[#1Cavtrooper]

E N J O Y!!! AND R E L A X!!!

[justrluk]

Great news! Congratulations!