Approval rates
Tom Duann has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 50% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norwalk hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Tom Duann maintained a 75% approval rate, compared to the office-wide rate of 67%. These figures are derived from 4,331 decisions on record.
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 Duann'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 trend for Tom Duann has shown an upward trajectory over the 4,331 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was 60% in 2016, recent years have seen an increase, reaching 75% in the partial 2026 fiscal year data. This latest-period performance reflects a continuation of the pattern observed in recent years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Duann'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 Norwalk hearing office
The Norwalk hearing office is the most recent office on record for Tom Duann, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 67%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norwalk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 4 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 50% to 78% on their respective records 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
Tom Duann has an approval rate of 67% on record since 2016. This places him within the 50% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Norwalk hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Tom Duann has trended upward. Starting at 60% in 2016, the rate has increased to 75% in the most recent partial fiscal year of 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Tom Duann has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
