Approval rates
The approval rate for Sara L. Alston is based on 507 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of her historical decision-making patterns. When compared to the NHC Baltimore office-wide lifetime range of 40% to 90%, her record reflects a distinct approach to disability claims. These figures are derived from data collected since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Alston. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Alston's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Sara L. Alston's record shows a consistent pattern of high approval rates throughout the available data window of 2016 to 2017. Starting with an 89% approval rate in 2016, the trend moved to 96% in 2017. This performance across 507 lifetime decisions suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence. The data reflects a sustained pattern of decision-making that has remained high over the course of her recorded tenure.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alston's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore hearing office serves claimants throughout Maryland and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 14 judges who manage a high volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal legal environment where evidence quality and medical documentation are the primary drivers of success. You can visit the NHC Baltimore hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges on record at this office since 2016. Across this bench, lifetime approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 90%. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Sara L. Alston's lifetime approval rate of 90% is at the top of the range for the NHC Baltimore office, where lifetime rates among the 14 judges on record vary from 40% to 90%. While this rate is high, every case is unique and depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical records effectively for this judge.
Sara L. Alston's approval rate has remained high, moving from 89% in 2016 to 96% in 2017. This trend indicates a consistent approach to evaluating disability claims over the recorded period. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case that meets the requirements of the Social Security Administration regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. Because the process can be intimidating, an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly organized.
A judge's lifetime approval rate provides context about their past decisions, but it is not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Sara L. Alston has approved 458 out of 507 lifetime decisions, which is a helpful data point, but the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific expectations of your hearing.