Approval rates
Comparing Judge Chaykin's performance requires looking at both his long-term record and his most recent activity. His lifetime approval rate of 51% sits within the broader Washington office range of 33% to 85%. In the latest reporting period, his 64% approval rate is 1 percentage point higher than the office average of 63%. These figures are based on 3,711 lifetime decisions. 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 Chaykin'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, Judge Chaykin has maintained a consistent approach to disability claims. While his annual approval rates fluctuated in the early years of this record, the data shows a recent upward trend, reaching 65% in 2026. This latest-period activity diverges from his lifetime average, suggesting a shift in his recent decision-making patterns. The recent uptick marks a distinct phase in his career at the Washington office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chaykin'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 Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves you throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. This office maintains a diverse bench of 19 judges who manage a high volume of disability hearings. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%, the facility handles a wide range of medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Washington Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Chaykin is essentially random. There are 19 judges on record at this office since 2016, 14 of whom reported data in the latest period. Because approval rates across this bench vary significantly—ranging from 33% to 85%—understanding the office environment is helpful. You can find more information on the Washington hearing office page.
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 Chaykin's latest-period approval rate of 64% is 1 percentage point higher than the Washington office average of 63%. While he sits near the office average, the bench features a wide range of approval rates from 33% to 85%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After hovering near 50% for several years, Judge Chaykin's approval rate reached 65% in 2026. This recent activity is higher than his 51% lifetime average across 3,711 decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases among the judges at the Washington hearing office. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert will discuss your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Judge Chaykin may ask during your hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Judge Chaykin has approved 51% of cases over his career, every case is decided on its own merits and evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific requirements of the Social Security Act.