Approval rates
The approval rate for Jeffrey Gardner is based on 221 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how his past decisions compare to the broader bench at the Bronx hearing office, where peers range from 43% to 84% on their since-2016 records. These statistics are derived from the Social Security Administration's public data. 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 Gardner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gardner'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 Jeffrey Gardner on record since 2016 stands at 45% across 221 total decisions. His yearly trend shows 46% approval in 2016, followed by 40% in 2017. This pattern reflects a period of consistent decision-making during his time on record at the Bronx office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gardner'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 Bronx hearing office
Jeffrey Gardner's most recent office on record is the Bronx, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you if you are in the Bronx area and is part of a region with a diverse bench of 16 judges. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 84% on their since-2016 records. While these figures provide context for the office, your specific case outcome depends on the evidence you present.
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 Gardner has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
His approval rate was 46% in 2016 and 40% in 2017. This reflects a steady pattern of decision-making during his time on record. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ 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.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
