Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 75% approval rate for Robert C. Dorf reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 36% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is New York. This docket of 877 decisions provides a look at past patterns. 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 Dorf. 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 Dorf'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 C. Dorf has shown variation across the 877 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 73% in 2016, the figures moved to 80% in 2017 before shifting to 69% in 2018 and 79% in 2019. These yearly shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented, rather than a fixed approach to your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dorf'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 York hearing office
Robert C. Dorf's most recent office on record is the New York hearing office. This office has a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the New York Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is New York, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your own medical evidence.
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 C. Dorf has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is New York. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Robert C. Dorf has fluctuated over the years, starting at 73% in 2016 and reaching 79% in 2019. These variations are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 75% approval rate for Robert C. Dorf describes past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.
