Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Christopher L. Dillon has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 44%. This compares to a 46% approval rate for the NHC Baltimore office during the same recent period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing preparation.
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 Dillon'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 data for Christopher L. Dillon shows 463 decisions on record since 2016. His approval trend has seen fluctuations, with a 57% rate in 2016 and a 44% rate in the partial 2026 fiscal year. The latest period reflects a 44% approval rate compared to the 55% record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dillon'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 Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore was the most recent office on record for Christopher L. Dillon as of July 2026. This office serves claimants in Maryland and has 16 judges on its recent bench. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 46%, providing a local context for your upcoming hearing.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Baltimore
SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Baltimore. Approval rates for this bench range from 40% to 90% 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
In the latest reporting period, Judge Dillon's approval rate was 44%, which is 2 points lower than the 46% average for the NHC Baltimore office. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, Judge Dillon's approval rate has shifted from 57% in 2016 to 44% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare your testimony for the judge.
The 55% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and how it is presented remain the most important factors in your case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
