Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Stanley K. Chin compared to the bench at the NHC Baltimore. The data reflects 3,105 decisions on record since 2016. These figures provide statistical context for the judge's history, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your specific hearing.
Judge Chin is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Chin isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Chin'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
Stanley K. Chin has issued 3,105 decisions since 2016. The yearly approval rate has fluctuated over this period, reaching a high of 70% in 2017 and a low of 42% in 2024. The most recent data from 2025 shows an approval rate of 61% over 110 decisions. The trend shows variation across the years on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chin'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 NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore is the most recent office on record for Stanley K. Chin, with activity recorded through September 2025. This office serves claimants in Maryland and the surrounding region. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Baltimore, 3 judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file and range from 46% to 55% on their since-2016 records. This range reflects the activity of the current panel at this office.
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
Stanley K. Chin has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 46% to 55% established by the 3 judges who decided cases at the NHC Baltimore in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific bench you are assigned.
The approval rate for Stanley K. Chin has varied over the years, ranging from a peak of 70% in 2017 to 42% in 2024. The most recent 2025 data shows an approval rate of 61%. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence fits into the hearing process.
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 your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence in your file and hears testimony. You may be asked questions about your medical conditions and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The quality of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in a disability decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
