Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 71% approval rate for Stephen Bosch covers all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 44% to 71% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing preparation. 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 Bosch. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bosch'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 Stephen Bosch has remained steady over the years, with 914 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 61% in 2016, the rate rose to 76% in 2017 and has since maintained a consistent level, recording 70% in 2020. This pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bosch'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 Philadelphia East hearing office
Stephen Bosch's most recent office on record is Philadelphia East, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves you if you are in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East, and their approval rates range from 44% to 71%. While these rates vary across the bench, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain the same. For preparation purposes, the guidance is consistent 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
Stephen Bosch has an approval rate of 71% on record since 2016. This is at the top of the 44% to 71% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia East. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Stephen Bosch has remained relatively steady since 2016. After starting at 61% in 2016, the rate reached 76% in 2017 and has since stayed within a consistent range, recording 70% in 2020. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence before the hearing date.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Stephen Bosch has a 71% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file to improve your chances.
