Approval rates
The approval rate for David F. Brash is based on 1,551 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically evaluated claims compared to the broader bench at the Pittsburgh hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 28% to 74%. Because the SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, your specific hearing outcome depends on the evidence presented in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Brash. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Brash'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 David F. Brash has shown fluctuations. After an initial 44% approval rate in 2016, the rate rose to 53% in 2017 before stabilizing near 50% through 2019. A decline to 41% occurred in 2020, followed by a return to 50% in 2021 based on a limited number of decisions. This trend indicates that the judge's decision-making has varied over time, reflecting changes in case complexity or the specific evidence provided in each claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Brash'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 Pittsburgh hearing office
David F. Brash's most recent SSA record (September 2021) is at the Pittsburgh hearing office in Pennsylvania. This office maintains a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Pittsburgh hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide variance in their historical approval rates, ranging from 28% to 74% since 2016.
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
David F. Brash has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This places the judge within the range of 28% to 74% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for David F. Brash has fluctuated over the years. It moved from 44% in 2016 to a high of 53% in 2017, before settling at 48% overall across 1,551 decisions. An attorney can help you build a stronger case regardless of these historical shifts.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure impartiality. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 48% approval rate for David F. Brash reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a favorable outcome.
