Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 58% approval rate for Robert A. DiBiccaro reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 36% to 58% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, understanding this range helps you see how your assigned judge fits into the broader local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge DiBiccaro. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge DiBiccaro'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 Robert A. DiBiccaro has remained steady across the 539 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, the approval rate was 58% over 404 decisions, followed by 57% over 229 decisions in 2017. This consistent pattern indicates a stable approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge DiBiccaro'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 New Haven hearing office
Robert A. DiBiccaro's most recent SSA record is at the New Haven hearing office, which serves the surrounding region in Connecticut. This office includes 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 36% to 58%. While these figures provide context for the office, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
Robert A. DiBiccaro has an approval rate of 58% on record since 2016. This is at the top of the range for the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven, who collectively range from 36% to 58%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Robert A. DiBiccaro has remained steady. It was 58% in 2016 and 57% in 2017. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Robert A. DiBiccaro's 58% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
