Approval rates
Comparing approval rates provides context for how different judges evaluate evidence, though every case is unique. The 70% approval rate for Edward J. Banas is based on 84 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 42% to 90% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dover hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Banas. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Banas'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
The approval rate for Edward J. Banas has remained at 70% based on the 84 decisions on record since 2016. Because the data window for this judge concludes in 2016, the pattern reflects the consistency of decisions made during that time. This stability suggests a predictable approach to evaluating your disability claim, though changes in your specific case mix or medical evidence can influence outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Banas'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.
About the Dover hearing office
Edward J. Banas's most recent SSA record is at the Dover hearing office, which serves claimants in Delaware. With 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 59%. You can see the Dover hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dover
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dover hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 90% on their since-2016 records. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Edward J. Banas has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 42% to 90% range of approval rates for the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dover hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Edward J. Banas has held at 70% across the 84 decisions on record since 2016. Because the data window for this judge concludes in 2016, the pattern reflects a consistent approach during that period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Edward J. Banas approved 70% of the 84 cases on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your success. An attorney can help you identify and present the evidence most likely to support your claim.
