NOTE: This order is nonprecedential. United States Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit
In Re THOMAS MELVIN JONES, JR.,
Petitioner
2026-130
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
ON PETITION AND MOTION
Before DYK, REYNA, and HUGHES, Circuit Judges.
O R D E R
Thomas Melvin Jones, Jr. petitions for a writ of mandamus “commanding the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Board of Veterans’ Appeals” to grant various relief in connection with his claims for veterans benefits “currently pending before the Board.” ECF No. 2 at 3. Mr. Jones also moves for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
A writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and may only issue if petitioner has shown a clear and indisputable right to relief and that there are no other adequate means to attain the relief desired. See Cheney v. U.S. Dist. Ct. for D.C., 542 U.S. 367, 380–81 (2004). Mr. Jones has
22 IN RE JONES
not met this demanding standard here at least because he has not shown that the normal appeal process is inadequate1 or that any delay in this matter is so egregious as to warrant mandamus relief. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:
(1) The petition for mandamus is denied. (2) The motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is denied as moot.
FOR THE COURT
March 20, 2026 Date