Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While your judge's 56% approval rate reflects their entire record since 2016, latest-period data allows for a more direct comparison against the Newark Hearing Office and national benchmarks. With 3,504 decisions on record, the data provides a view of past outcomes. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Damille'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, your judge's approval rate has shown varied activity, starting at 82% in 2016 before shifting to a more moderate range in recent years. With 3,504 total decisions on record, the judge has maintained a consistent presence in the Newark Hearing Office. The latest-period approval rate of 56% aligns closely with the office-wide average, suggesting a steady pattern in how evidence is evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Damille'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 Newark hearing office
Ricardy Damille's most recent office on record is the Newark Hearing Office, which serves the New Jersey region. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where your evidence quality remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 20% to 73% based on 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
Judge Damille holds a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Newark Hearing Office, approval rates range from 20% to 73%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Judge Damille has fluctuated over the years, moving from 82% in 2016 to a 56% approval rate in the most recent reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your evidence organized and ready for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare your case for any judge assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Working with an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Judge Damille has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is decided on its own merits and evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your case and prepare accordingly.
