Approval rates
You can evaluate performance by looking at consistent timeframes. The data shows how this judge performs relative to the broader bench at the Orland Park office since 2016, as well as how recent decisions align with state and national averages. With 4,499 decisions on record, the data provides a view of past activity. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than predictions for your specific 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 Bruce'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 David R. Bruce has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching a peak of 63% in 2019, the rate shifted before stabilizing in recent years. The most recent period shows a 55% approval rate, which remains consistent with the long-term average of 54%. This pattern indicates that while the approach has evolved, the latest period reflects a steady, established trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bruce'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 Orland Park hearing office
The Orland Park Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Illinois. It is staffed by a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 43%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates for this bench range from 25% to 69% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent 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
Judge Bruce has an approval rate of 54% on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 69% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 44% in 2021 to a high of 63% in 2019. The most recent approval rate of 55% is consistent with the long-term average of 54% since 2016. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 54% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you assess the strengths of your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
