Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While Robert W. Flynn maintains a 76% lifetime approval rate, his most recent performance shows an 85% approval rate, which sits 20 points above the Portland ME office average of 65%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical baseline.
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 Flynn'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, Robert W. Flynn has presided over 3,299 decisions. His approval trend shows an upward trajectory, moving from lower rates in the late 2010s to a sustained period of higher approval in recent years. This shift reflects a consistent approach in the latest reporting period compared to his earlier career.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Flynn'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Portland ME hearing office
The Portland ME hearing office serves claimants throughout Maine and the surrounding region. With 10 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest approval rate of 65%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom reported in the latest period, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 38% to 85%.
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 W. Flynn's 85% latest-period approval rate is higher than the 65% office-wide average. Because approval rates across the Portland ME bench range from 38% to 85%, your specific judge can influence the statistical probability of your outcome. An attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the expectations of this specific hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a distinct trend. After a period of lower approval rates in 2019, Robert W. Flynn's decisions have trended upward, reaching 85% in the most recent reporting period. This pattern suggests a shift in how evidence or case types are being evaluated. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and fairness. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the specific questions a judge like Robert W. Flynn may ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your future outcome. While Robert W. Flynn has a 76% lifetime approval rate, every case is decided on its own merits and the quality of the evidence provided. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you enter the hearing room.