OK, got to vent to cyber space. I sent this to the Cleveland VA trying to find out what the problem is...

"I received a letter from the VA stating that they are finally back dating my claim to November 2004. If my math is correct, the back pay will be around $35,000 to $40,000. [!!]
I called the VA Cleveland Office and was told that it would be an additional "30 to 60 working days" as "it has to go through the directors office because of the amount due" then an additonal "15 working days" so it can be processed.
I am in dire straights and have been barely making it and now I find out that I have to wait longer for the assistance I deserved years ago. God forbid if I owed the VA money - they would snatch it right away with little to no warning.
What seems to be the problem here?" [!?!?!?!?!!!!!??!??!]

I'll post the "response" which will more than likely be a form letter confirming that it will be another 45-75 days before they actually pay me, which will make them 3 years and 4 months late. Unfortunately, unlike the Government nobody will be forced to pay penalties, interest or face jail time ~ ALL of which we would face if we owed the Government that kind of cash.

The problem is that I live in Cleveland, and the VA is ran by Cleveland residents. I know more "my sister works at the VA" or "my brother works at the VA".....little to none of them Veterans. Had Veterans been running the show, I wouldn't be writing this because there wouldn't be an issue. Instead the VA is plagued with nepotisim from a gene pool that is lacking at best: Cleveland.

See y'all in cyber space...