Brother, I'm an Ex-Military Officer. It took me 4.5 yrs to come to the medical stage. And now, its 3 months post med and no horizon is still visible.
With your case, even with all hell broken loose with Security Checks, you should have made it by now. If you have sent the email to Buffalo long back, I suggest send them one more NOW. And don't wait for another 3-4 months for a reply... keep repeating the email trail every 2-3 WEEKS. That's what I'm doing and they are patiently replying too.
Thus, with their reply emails I am aware of every step my case is moving to. Actually, it's pretty much looking as though it's my CAIPS, off course I have it updated every 15 days now.
GO & ASK THEM AGAIN, BROTHER.