NTS, GS, thanks for your thoughts.
PSF have been golden, they are as frustrated as myself with AFPAA's performance. I can be a bit of an admin vortex, however the initial submission was submitted under the close supervision of the P2 staff to avoid any potential cock-ups and they were more than happy the paperwork was well in order. AFPAA however don't seem to agree with the rest of us.
Sounds suspiciously like a classic "shift-change" scenario except on a somewhat larger scale - I suspect whoever is dealing with these claims at the mo have had a very poor handover on what the rules actually are and they're playing ultra safe.
God bless JPA.