Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While Peter J. Baum has a 63% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate of 67% aligns with the Reno office's latest-period average. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical baseline. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Baum'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
Since 2016, Peter J. Baum has presided over 4,150 lifetime decisions. The yearly trend shows a period of stability followed by an increase in approval rates starting in 2024, with the latest period showing a 67% approval rate. This recent shift suggests a departure from the lower approval levels seen in 2021 and 2022. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, indicating how the judge has approached recent evidence in your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Baum'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 Reno hearing office
The Reno hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout Nevada and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 7 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 67%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Reno 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 your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016, 3 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 63% on lifetime records. 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
Peter J. Baum's latest-period approval rate of 67% is equal to the Reno office's latest-period average. While individual judge rates vary, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a trend of rising approval rates in recent years. After a dip in 2021 and 2022, the approval rate increased to 72% in 2024 and 2025, settling at 69% in 2026. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards this judge currently emphasizes.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case fully prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.