Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced new regulations on September 29, 2010 extending presumptive service connection to Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for illnesses associated with their military service. The new presumptions apply to veterans who served in Southwest Asia beginning on or after the start of Operation Desert Shield on August 2, 1990, through Operation Desert Storm to the present, including the current conflict in Iraq. Veterans who served in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001, also qualify. The final regulation relieves these veterans of the burden of proving the following diseases are service-related: Brucellosis, Campylobacter jejuni, Coxiella Burnetti (Q fever), Malaria, Mycobacterium tuburculosis, Nontyphoid Salmonella, Shigella, visceral leishmaniasis and West Nile virus.
Mr. Finkelstein is the Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP. He has become a noted consumer activist through his representation of injured individuals against corporate wrongdoers and irresponsible parties.
An accomplished litigator, Mr. Finkelstein has represented Plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He has successfully handled dozens of multi-million dollar cases.