VMPI President statment in opposition to VA interim ruling

This "Interim Final Rule" that fundamentally changes and bypasses existing law, is a bad ruling. 

As the President and Co-Founder of a veteran nonprofit that is focused on saving lives through mentoring, I know many veterans rely on their disability income as a means to exist. More importantly, they/we rely on meaningful medical and mental health treatment to sustain a decent life. I am also a US Army Veteran and retired law enforcement officer who has witnessed mental health tragedies up close. I am a suicide loss survivor, I lost my older brother a US Army veteran, a retired Army officer, and I know firsthand how important proper medical care, proper mental health treatment, and secure financial status is. I created a nonprofit as a result of his death and my nearly 30 years experiences serving our nation and local communities. 

This ruling should NOT stand for the following reasons:

1) This law would Punish Veterans for Following Medical Advice

Veterans who take their prescribed medications — even responsibly — could see their disability ratings reduced.
That creates a harmful incentive where veterans may avoid treatment to protect their benefits, which is contrary to sound public health and veteran well-being.

2) This Undermines Trust in the veteran community.

- The rule was made effective immediately with little public input, bypassing the normal notice-and-comment process.
This abrupt change after decades of a veterans-first policy risks eroding trust between veterans and the government

3) Likely to have Unintended negative Consequences that will actively harm veterans.

- May discourage veterans from seeking medical care or adhering to complex treatment regimens.
- Could disproportionately impact veterans with mental health conditions, chronic pain, and neurologic conditions — areas where medication rarely fully resolves symptoms but manages them.

4) This will undermine many Veterans’ Financial Security

- Lower disability ratings mean lower monthly compensation, especially for veterans with multiple conditions or high ratings.
- For many, VA compensation is essential for housing, healthcare access, food security, and quality of life — not a discretionary “Bonus”

According to We Are the Mighty, the new rule runs counter to at least two prior judicial rulings.

In 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ruled in Jones vs Shinseki that unless the rating criteria specifically mentioned medication, the VA could not reduce a rating only because medication improved symptoms.

The Court’s 2025 decision in Ingram vs Collins extended the Jones decision to musculoskeletal conditions, and required examiners to attempt to determine a “baseline severity” if the veteran didn’t take medication.

To make a public comment, click here.

James Espinoza

Presidnt & Co-Founder

The Veteran Mentor Project, Inc.

According to the American Legion, the VA has halted the implementation of the interim final rule.

Please continue to comment on the ruling during the public comment period which expires on April 20, 2026.

Four main points to consider (feel free to copy and paste): 

This ruling should NOT stand for the following reasons:

1) This law would Punish Veterans for Following Medical Advice

Veterans who take their prescribed medications — even responsibly — could see their disability ratings reduced.
That creates a harmful incentive where veterans may avoid treatment to protect their benefits, which is contrary to sound public health and veteran well-being.

2) This Undermines Trust in the veteran community.

- The rule was made effective immediately with little public input, bypassing the normal notice-and-comment process.
This abrupt change after decades of a veterans-first policy risks eroding trust between veterans and the government

3) Likely to have Unintended negative Consequences that will actively harm veterans.

- May discourage veterans from seeking medical care or adhering to complex treatment regimens.
- Could disproportionately impact veterans with mental health conditions, chronic pain, and neurologic conditions — areas where medication rarely fully resolves symptoms but manages them.

4) This will undermine many Veterans’ Financial Security

- Lower disability ratings mean lower monthly compensation, especially for veterans with multiple conditions or high ratings.
- For many, VA compensation is essential for housing, healthcare access, food security, and quality of life — not a discretionary “Bonus”

Click here to make a public comment.

James and April Espinoza recognized the need for transition assistance for Military Veterans and veteran First Responders returning to civilian life. To address this, they co-founded a veteran mentor program called VMPI, aimed at mentoring America’s Heroes throughout this challenging process. They understand that the transition from service can be difficult and believe that good mental health and wellness are essential for a successful shift back to civilian life.

As U.S. Army Veterans themselves, James and April serve as lead mentors in our Veterans Mentor Program, specifically the Veteran Education and Training for Success (V.E.T.S.) Program. 

In memory of James's brother, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who tragically lost his life to suicide, The Veteran Mentor Project, Inc. was established in 2021 to honor his legacy and support veterans through mentorship.

For more information, please visit our Board of Directors page!

The mission of the Veteran Mentor Project, Inc. is to enhance military veterans and first responder veterans’ transition from service to civilian life, which is a key focus of our veteran mentor program. This initiative aims to reduce stress while providing essential resources and education to improve their quality of life through dedicated mentoring and WARRIOR wellness advocacy.

Our values at The Veteran Mentor Project Inc. emphasize leaving no veteran behind. We strive to inclusively offer coaching, guidance, and support through our veterans mentor program, ensuring the highest caliber of mentorship to contribute to the overall success of those we serve.

Our vision is centered on preventing veteran and first responder death by suicide and addressing mental health issues. We achieve this by providing valuable guidance and leadership throughout the transition process from service to civilian life with the help of our committed veteran mentors.

Our amazing team of Veteran and First Responder volunteers is dedicated to helping others through our veteran mentor program. Our veteran mentors include enlisted personnel, officers, and first responders of all ranks who have separated from service for various reasons. Each mentor has faced their own challenges and is ready, willing, and able to guide others. We take our convictions and turn them into action. Think you would be a good fit for our veterans mentor program? Get in touch for more information!  

The VMPI also advocates for veterans, first responders, and their family members. Advocacy is a vital part of our outreach efforts. Together, we can truly make a difference.  

Whether it's recommending trusted resources, nominating a HERO for an award, or simply having a one-on-one conversation, these connections foster the support that makes a difference!