Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 62% approval rate for Daniel Dadabo reflects his total record since 2016, which you can compare against the 45% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office. With 1,252 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Dadabo. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Dadabo'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 Daniel Dadabo showed variation across the 1,252 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 56% in 2016, 68% in 2017, 65% in 2018, and 59% in 2019. These fluctuations are common in administrative law and often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented during specific periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dadabo'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 Evanston hearing office
Daniel Dadabo's most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office, which serves you if you are in Illinois and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Evanston hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 79% since 2016. Because of this variance, understanding the general environment of the office is helpful.
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
Daniel Dadabo has an approval rate of 62% on record since 2016. This sits within the 45% to 79% range established by the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Evanston hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Daniel Dadabo has fluctuated over the years, starting at 56% in 2016 and reaching 68% in 2017, before moving to 59% in 2019. These shifts are common and do not necessarily indicate a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the evidentiary standards typically required in this office.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Evanston hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on building a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatment. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly organized for the judge.
The 62% approval rate for Daniel Dadabo 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 your case's strengths and identify any missing documentation.
