Approval rates
Comparing judicial approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 44% approval rate for John Cusker reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 34% to 80% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office. These figures represent historical trends rather than a fixed outcome for your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cusker. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cusker'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 John Cusker has shown variation across the 1,866 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching 47% in 2018, the annual approval rate shifted in subsequent years, reaching 36% in 2022. This trend reflects historical decision-making patterns rather than a sudden shift in policy, providing context for how you might prepare your evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cusker'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 Las Vegas hearing office
John Cusker's most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office. This office is home to 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Las Vegas
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 80% on their since-2016 records. While you cannot choose your judge, the process for presenting medical evidence remains consistent across the bench.
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
John Cusker has an approval rate of 44% across 1,866 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 34% to 80% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Las Vegas hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for John Cusker has fluctuated over the years, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 36% in 2022. These shifts are common in judicial dockets and often reflect changes in case mix or evidence standards. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Las Vegas hearing office. Because you cannot control your assignment, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the local hearing environment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 44% approval rate for John Cusker is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear.
