Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 79% approval rate for Milagros Farnes reflects all decisions on record since 2016, while the broader bench at the Baltimore office shows a range of 32% to 79% over the same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the office's historical output.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Farnes. 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 Farnes'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 Milagros Farnes has remained relatively consistent across the 2,989 decisions recorded since 2016. While yearly figures fluctuated between a low of 76% and a high of 84%, the judge has maintained a stable pattern of allowance. The most recent data from 2025 shows an 81% approval rate, which aligns with the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Farnes'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 is the most recent office on record for Milagros Farnes as of September 2025. This office hosts a bench of 24 judges who handle a high volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 79% on their since-2016 records.
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
Milagros Farnes has a 79% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the top end of the 32% to 79% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit this judge's specific bench.
The approval rate for Milagros Farnes has remained steady over the years, with 2,989 decisions on record since 2016. While there is minor annual variation, the recent performance of 81% in 2025 is consistent with the long-term average. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to be ready for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a historical reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Milagros Farnes has an approval rate of 79%, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
