Approval rates
The approval rate for Brian Curley is based on 1,054 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, consider the broader bench at the Lawrence MA office, where judges range from 41% to 73% in their since-2016 approval rates. This variation highlights the importance of understanding the specific patterns associated with your assigned judge. 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 Curley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Curley'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 Brian Curley remained relatively steady throughout the period of 2016 to 2018. After maintaining a 56% approval rate in both 2016 and 2017, the rate was 51% in 2018. With 1,054 total decisions on record, this data provides a consistent view of past activity. This pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Curley'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 Lawrence MA hearing office
Brian Curley's most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves the region by processing disability claims through a bench of 7 judges. You can expect a formal proceeding where your evidence quality is the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 73% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the hearing room, understanding the local bench is a standard part of your case preparation.
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
Brian Curley has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 41% to 73% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Brian Curley was 56% in 2016 and 2017, followed by 51% in 2018. This indicates a relatively steady pattern across the 1,054 decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you review your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, and the process is designed to be random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Brian Curley has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
