Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's 57% approval rate covers the entire period since 2016, the latest-period data provides a snapshot of recent activity. In the latest period, Boyd approved 61% of cases, which is 14 percentage points higher than the office-wide latest-period average of 47%. These figures are based on a substantial volume of decisions, providing a basis for understanding recent decision-making trends.
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 Boyd'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, the approval rate for Eskunder Boyd has shown an upward shift. After hovering between 50% and 56% for much of the period, the rate climbed to 66% in 2024 and 69% in 2025. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date figure of 61% reflects recent activity. This trend suggests that recent case complexity or the quality of evidence presented in filings may influence outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Boyd'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 New Haven hearing office
The New Haven Hearing Office, which serves you in Connecticut, is the most recent office on record for Eskunder Boyd as of July 2026. This office manages a bench of 8 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 47%. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the New Haven Hearing Office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. These judges have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 36% to 58%.
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
Judge Boyd's 57% approval rate since 2016 is at the higher end of the range for the 8 judges associated with the New Haven office, who collectively range from 36% to 58%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After maintaining a steady rate between 50% and 56% for several years, Judge Boyd's approval rate increased to 66% in 2024 and 69% in 2025. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Judge Boyd's 57% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses.
