Vincent Pastore

Vincent J. Pastore joined Finkelstein & Partners in August of 2013 and currently practices within the firm’s Veterans’ Services Group (VSG).

After graduating law school in 2012, Vincent became licensed to practice law in the State of New York and New Jersey. He is an accredited attorney by the Department of Veteran Affairs and admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (C.A.V.C.) in Washington, D.C.

Since 2013 Vincent has represented Veteran’s across the country in disability benefits appeals cases at the VA Regional Office level, the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA), and the CAVC, as part of Finkelstein & Partners VSG. Some case types he has successfully advocated include appeals for service connection of combat-related wounds and injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), toxin/dioxin exposure (such as Agent Orange/Herbicides in Vietnam), Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, and claims for increase ratings of various service connected conditions. Vincent has also successfully advocated claims for entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) where service connected conditions have impacted a Veteran’s ability to work, and assisted eligible surviving spouses and dependents in appeals for accrued benefits and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

As a result of his devoted advocacy of Veteran’s, Vincent has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 calendar years. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state annually.

Before joining Finkelstein & Partners, Vincent earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2009 from Dickinson College in Carlisle Pennsylvania and later attended Widener University School of Law in Wilmington Delaware. During his time at Widener Vincent participated in the school’s Veterans Law Clinic. Both of Vincent’s grandfathers served during World War II and the Korean War, influencing his decision to participate in the clinic at Widener. Through the clinic he assisted staff and volunteer attorneys in reviewing Veterans appeals cases and advising clients on a course of action. Upon graduating from Widener he received the school’s Pro Bono distinction for completing over 60 hours of pro bono service, many of which were performed within the Veteran’s clinic.

Outside of legal work, Vincent volunteers in his hometown and is a member of the East Northport Fire Department. He is a Certified New York State Interior Firefighter and Certified New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Currently, he holds the position of Lieutenant of Hook and Ladder Company 1.