Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. The 65% approval rate for Collin Delaney is based on 298 decisions on record since 2018. This figure sits within the 29% to 85% range observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. 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 Delaney. 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 Delaney'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 Collin Delaney has remained consistent, with 64% in 2018 and 65% in 2019 across 298 total decisions on record since 2018. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during his time at the NHC Falls Church. Because the data window covers his entire recorded period at this office, the trend reflects a consistent application of evidence standards.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Delaney'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 NHC Falls Church hearing office
Collin Delaney's most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, where he recorded decisions through September 2019. This office serves the surrounding region and maintains a bench of 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Falls Church
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 85% on their since-2016 records. While these rates vary, the procedural requirements for your hearing remain 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
Collin Delaney has a 65% approval rate on record since 2018. This falls within the 29% to 85% range of the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
His approval rate has remained steady, moving from 64% in 2018 to 65% in 2019. This consistency is based on 298 total decisions on record since 2018. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the NHC Falls Church. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
The 65% approval rate for Collin Delaney reflects his past decisions since 2018 and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
