Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record to their peers provides context for your hearing. At the Baltimore hearing office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 79%. With 2,381 lifetime decisions on record, the data for Judge Edwards offers a stable view of her historical decision-making patterns.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Edwards. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Edwards'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 Judge Edwards has remained relatively steady throughout her record from 2016 to 2023. With 2,381 lifetime decisions, the data suggests a stable history of adjudication. This consistency provides a baseline for understanding how your case might be evaluated during your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Edwards'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a central hub for disability adjudications in Maryland. The office maintains a bench of 26 judges on record, reflecting a high volume of cases processed annually. You can expect a formal hearing environment focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence you present. You can see the Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 26 judges on record at this office since 2016. Because approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 79%, understanding the office environment is helpful for your preparation.
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
Judge Edwards has a lifetime approval rate of 62% across 2,381 decisions. This places her within the broader range of 32% to 79% observed among the 26 judges on record at the Baltimore office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Judge Edwards has maintained a relatively steady approval pattern since 2016. While yearly rates have fluctuated, the lifetime average of 62% remains a stable indicator of her historical record. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Judge Edwards has a 62% approval rate, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your claim. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.