R7000 with 384.5 Xwrt-Vortex and PIA VPN

hi.  so the R7000 was running beautifully on the previous branch of XWRT, 380.70 .  but a couple of months of a new firmware being out there got my ocd tech nerve itchin.  Since ive upgraded, I cannot get the VPN working.  using Private Internet Access' OpenVPN config file.  It actually connects and seems to be running but when I access hidemyass.com to verify, it still reports my cable companys assigned IP.  Before I downgrade, anybody have similar issue or advice?  any better firmware advice to be used on the R7000?  thanks in advance.