Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure an accurate picture. The most relevant comparison is against the bench at the Springfield MA office. Judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 42% to 77% on their since-2016 records. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Breton. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Breton'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
Between January 2016 and September 2019, Michael P. Breton issued 1,598 decisions. His approval rate was 58% in 2016, 52% in 2017, 50% in 2018, and 51% in 2019. This trend reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation over the recorded timeframe, suggesting that your hearing will be evaluated based on the evidence you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Breton'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 Springfield MA hearing office
Michael P. Breton's most recent office on record is the Springfield MA hearing office. This office manages a high volume of disability claims. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office bench reflects a diverse range of decision patterns. You can see the Springfield MA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA office. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 77% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Michael P. Breton's 53% approval rate falls within the 42% to 77% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of which judge you draw.
Michael P. Breton's approval rate on record since 2016 shifted from 58% in 2016 to 51% in 2019. This pattern indicates a relatively steady approach to evaluating disability claims over the period. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your case, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the standards of any judge assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you ensure your case is fully developed before your hearing date.
