Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. This judge's approval rate on record since 2017 is 64% across 446 decisions, which you can evaluate against the 37% to 75% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Camp. 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 Camp'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 Noran J. Camp shifted over the period of 2017 to 2019. Starting at 77% in 2017, the approval rate moved to 64% in 2018 and 59% in 2019 across a total of 446 decisions on record. This trend indicates a decline in the approval rate over the three-year window. Such patterns often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the specific evidence presented in those dockets.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Camp'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 Boston hearing office
The Boston hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse range of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%, which provides context for the local environment. You can see the Boston hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Boston
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 37% to 75%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the broader office bench is helpful. 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
Judge Camp has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2017. This sits within the 37% to 75% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Noran J. Camp changed from 77% in 2017 to 59% in 2019. This trend is based on 446 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these past patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will typically answer questions about your work history and limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. While it provides context, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
