Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 54% approval rate for Shawn Bozarth since 2016 provides a baseline, while the latest-period data allows for a direct comparison against the Harrisburg office average of 43%. With 3,160 decisions on record, the data offers a view of past trends. 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 Bozarth'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 November 2016, Shawn Bozarth has issued 3,160 decisions. The yearly trend shows a pattern of approvals, with rates fluctuating between 49% and 57% over the last decade. The most recent period shows a 54% approval rate, which aligns with the long-term average. This consistency suggests that the approach to evaluating evidence has remained stable over the years on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bozarth'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 Harrisburg hearing office
Shawn Bozarth's most recent office on record is the Harrisburg Hearing Office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and others across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With 13 judges on the bench, the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Harrisburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 5 of them deciding cases in the latest file. Approval rates across this bench range from 17% to 86% on their records since 2016. 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
Shawn Bozarth has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. In the latest reporting period, this judge's approval rate was 11 percentage points higher than the Harrisburg office average of 43%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Shawn Bozarth has remained relatively steady since 2016, moving between 49% and 57% annually. While there are minor yearly fluctuations, the overall pattern of decision-making has been consistent. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence fits into these historical trends.
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 important to be prepared for any judge you might draw. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
The 54% approval rate for Shawn Bozarth is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
