Approval rates
The approval rate for Margaret A. Donaghy is based on 1,489 decisions recorded since 2016. When evaluating this figure, it is useful to compare it against the broader bench at the Queens hearing office, where the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 49% to 85% in their individual approval rates. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office's historical decision-making patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Donaghy. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Donaghy'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 an upward trend. After starting at 58% in 2016, the rate increased over the following years, reaching 81% in 2024 and 77% in 2025. This pattern reflects a consistent volume of decisions, with the most recent years showing higher approval frequencies compared to the earlier part of the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Donaghy'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 Queens hearing office
The Queens hearing office serves you if you are in the New York region. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Queens
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Queens hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 49% to 85%. While individual judges have different historical patterns, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent.
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
Margaret A. Donaghy's 67% approval rate sits within the 49% to 85% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens hearing office. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. Her approval rate was 58% in 2016 and reached 81% in 2024. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you understand your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions this judge often asks.
