Worried about gear recovery process

So recently my account was hacked, but after a short chat on the phone with a helpful Blizzard employee I was able to regain access and change my pass/clean computer etc. But now I ticketed a GM to get my gear back and received a response saying basically "Your problem has been escalated and is being reviewed by a specialist. We will notify you when we are done with the investigation and if there is any possibility of re-imbursement"

Now what I am wondering, Is there a chance that my gear might not be returned? When the say possibility of re-imbursement do they mean giving me something to compensate for the fact that I was unable to play for awhile (Ex. Badges) or do they mean just getting my gear recovered. I have put soo much effort into this character and to have it all taken away would be devastating. Has anyone ever heard about/experienced anyone getting their account hacked but their gear not returned?

I would also appreciate a blue respone :P