Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent data periods. While Stephen Cordovani has a lifetime approval rate of 47%, his latest-period approval rate is 48%, which sits 5 percentage points below the current Buffalo office average of 53%. These figures are based on a significant volume of cases, providing a statistical baseline for the office.
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 Cordovani'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, the approval rate for Stephen Cordovani has shown fluctuation, moving from 38% in his first year on record to a peak of 55% in 2024 before settling at 48% in the most recent period. With 3,559 lifetime decisions, the data reflects a judge who maintains a consistent approach to evidence. The recent trend shows a return toward his long-term average after a period of higher approvals.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cordovani'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 Buffalo hearing office
The Buffalo hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 18 judges on record. The office currently reports a latest-period approval rate of 53%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Buffalo hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you have no control over which judge hears your case. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 28% to 89% on a lifetime basis.
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
Stephen Cordovani has a lifetime approval rate of 47%, which sits within the broader office range of 28% to 89%. In the most recent reporting period, his 48% approval rate is 5 percentage points lower than the Buffalo office average of 53%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Stephen Cordovani has varied over his 3,559 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. After starting at 38% in 2016, his annual approval rate reached a high of 55% in 2024 before moving to 48% in the latest period. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Buffalo hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney help you prepare a strong case that can succeed regardless of who is presiding.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly organized for the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Stephen Cordovani has a lifetime approval rate of 47%, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.