Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's approval rate requires looking at the data in context. Cornell's 76% approval rate since November 2023 is supported by a volume of 1,006 decisions. When compared to the broader bench at the South Jersey office, where approval rates for judges range from 50% to 93%, her performance is a data point for your case preparation.
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 Cornell'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 November 2023, Cornell has maintained a consistent approval pattern. Her yearly approval rate was 73% in 2024, 77% in 2025, and 77% through the partial 2026 fiscal year. This stability across 1,006 total decisions on record suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cornell'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 South Jersey hearing office
The South Jersey hearing office serves claimants across the region. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse caseload. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 69%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is South Jersey
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the South Jersey office. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 50% to 93% on their records since 2016.
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
Cornell has an approval rate of 76% since November 2023. This sits within the 50% to 93% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the South Jersey office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Cornell's approval rate has remained steady, moving from 73% in 2024 to 77% in 2025 and 2026. This consistency across 1,006 decisions on record indicates a stable approach to disability claims. If you are concerned about how this trend impacts your hearing, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and past work experience. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Cornell has a 76% approval rate on record since 2023, every case is unique and depends on the strength of the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
