My retirement date was 28 May 2024. On the VA website there is still no decision letter available. I was just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the timeline I should expect to get my final rating letter? I am needing to register a vehicle etc. and that letter sure would make it easier.
VA Finalization
- Thread starter TRiffying
- Start date
Have you submitted the final DD-214 to the VA/MSC? I know that's one of the things I was directed to do. From what I was briefed, your "Final rating" can not be effected until at least one calendar day after your LAST day in service, and after receipt of 214. Then, approximately 7-10 days after both have occurred, you will be able to log-in to view the final rating letter. Haven't got there yet myself, so anyone with more info please chime in.
I have submitted my 214 and see it uploaded on my VA portal. Just waiting on this dang letter and rating to show up on the VA site.
Poke the bear if it is not there by June 10th.
Definitely want to be sure I get that first VA check on July 1st.
I’m in the same boat. I retired on the 16th of May. And another claim was submitted to the VA on the 17th. It’s in the evidence collection phase now. My question is, why did I have a full claim submitted and completed while I was still in? Could they not just use the information from the closed claim that rated me at 100%?
Yes, and allegedly they will. But are not in a rush to do so because technically they have until 01Jul2024 to issue the decision letter and payment for June's benefits. Not agreeing with it, but was just told to do everything I can to expedite it (listed above).
here I am 15 days after my retirement date and still no letter. Sure do wish I had it, you need that letter for many things. Retirement date was 28May and my DD214 was uploaded by my MSC to the VA on 15 May.
Do you have any money left after VA offset? If not its all a waiting game for the VA pay. Once your claims are finalized you will receive backpay for July 1 + anything else going forward. What what your proposed rating by the VA? I was told to save 2 months of pay for when you get out because of delays and the way VA pay works. You did well on getting out 28MAY. If you had retired on June 1 then your first month would be July 1 with first disability payment on August 1.
I did receive regular DoD retirement pay but nothing from the VA. Unofrunately they DoD pay is much much less than VA. I was proposed at 100%. I am not totally convinced I didnt end up on someone less than motivated's desk as I had nothing showing in the VA app until 01 July which list my claim as in "evidence gathering..."
What is your expected DOD pay after VA offset? How much for chapter 61 pension and how much for VA compensation. Just making sure that was DOD retirement pay. Did you get a prorated last paycheck from your branch of service? That is what my wife received first was backpay for last paycheck while on active duty.
If your DOD pay is much less in total than your VA pay you would end up with no pay for your pension. Just not sure if you mean that or if your DOD pay is slightly higher than your VA pay so you already got a payment after VA offset.
@TRiffying Feeling these same emotions today....
Why is it that in the app, it says "we decided your claim on March 07" which I know was my proposed ratings but yet when I call the VA, no one can provide a direct answer on how long I should expect before the claim is finalized...
For reference, my findings came back in early April, I had a VA exit interview in early May where I provided my DD-214 to the VA rep and officially retired on 29 June.
Here we are on July 11th and I have nothing. What exactly are these people waiting on...
Make it make sense...
Why is it that in the app, it says "we decided your claim on March 07" which I know was my proposed ratings but yet when I call the VA, no one can provide a direct answer on how long I should expect before the claim is finalized...
For reference, my findings came back in early April, I had a VA exit interview in early May where I provided my DD-214 to the VA rep and officially retired on 29 June.
Here we are on July 11th and I have nothing. What exactly are these people waiting on...
Make it make sense...
I retired on 28 May and still nothing. There was no new claim added to the VA app or website until 01 July which is currently still sitting in "evidence gathering, review, and decision"...... all that stuff is already done. I cant imagine there is a whole lot to finalizing these claims, which ya know, have already been decided months ago. Thank god Ive been able to work (for now, havent been fired yet) but what if I wasnt and was reliant on the VA as my sole income? I thought the whole idea was a seamless transition through IDES?
Man, that's crazy and honestly doesn't make my anxiety about this situation any better....
I don't understand how you can go through the claims process, have the C&P exams, have the rating official assign proposed ratings and close the entire freaking claim and then STILL have to wait for you, almost a month and a half before they open a new claim?!?!? FOR WHAT?
This entire process is shrouded in confusion and I absolutely despise the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs operates in this realm of plausible deniability so that they don't have to give you any concrete timeline or reason why something may be the way that it is (i.e. Retired and they have my DD-214, and they've had it for almost 3 months now) and yet all I know for a fact, is that my case, per their system, is "pending final decision"
Ref your comment about being reliant on VA disability, I've probably applied to 500 or 600 jobs since going on terminal leave in late April and I've gotten absolutely no where. Now that I'm officially retired, that hurts a little more than it did when I was still being paid by the DoD...
I've probably got enough money to pay my bills in August and I've filed for unemployment but beyond that, every day that passes without a final disability rating, I become more worried.
I don't understand how you can go through the claims process, have the C&P exams, have the rating official assign proposed ratings and close the entire freaking claim and then STILL have to wait for you, almost a month and a half before they open a new claim?!?!? FOR WHAT?
This entire process is shrouded in confusion and I absolutely despise the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs operates in this realm of plausible deniability so that they don't have to give you any concrete timeline or reason why something may be the way that it is (i.e. Retired and they have my DD-214, and they've had it for almost 3 months now) and yet all I know for a fact, is that my case, per their system, is "pending final decision"
Ref your comment about being reliant on VA disability, I've probably applied to 500 or 600 jobs since going on terminal leave in late April and I've gotten absolutely no where. Now that I'm officially retired, that hurts a little more than it did when I was still being paid by the DoD...
I've probably got enough money to pay my bills in August and I've filed for unemployment but beyond that, every day that passes without a final disability rating, I become more worried.
What blew me away was everyone retiring saying that their rating updated the day after they got out. Apparently someone has quit hitting the "finalize" button. Ive had many things I have had to push back because I am waiting on them to get things figured out. So very frustrating with absolutely no way to get anywhere or talk to anyone who can get some real answers other than "wait, were working on it:". WTF are you possibly "WorKIng" on?
Got some info to share:
I was able to obtain an email address for the person assigned to my case with the VA. They had what appears to be their supervisor respond. In short, I was told that "a record number" of personnel were discharged through IDES in May and that the VA is running behind on these cases. While they should have been done within 30 days, it is now taking 45-55 days. That said, I was told to expect my case to finalize in 1-2 weeks.
I was able to obtain an email address for the person assigned to my case with the VA. They had what appears to be their supervisor respond. In short, I was told that "a record number" of personnel were discharged through IDES in May and that the VA is running behind on these cases. While they should have been done within 30 days, it is now taking 45-55 days. That said, I was told to expect my case to finalize in 1-2 weeks.
Well, I mean any news at this point is better than no news I guess...
To make matters even more interesting, my wife gets a "sneak peek" at the mail coming for the day and there's a document from the VA coming in the mail today...
One can only hope that document is my final rating letter but I'm not overly optimistic.
To make matters even more interesting, my wife gets a "sneak peek" at the mail coming for the day and there's a document from the VA coming in the mail today...
One can only hope that document is my final rating letter but I'm not overly optimistic.