Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. Stewart Goldstein's 52% approval rate on record since 2016 can be viewed alongside the 48% to 60% range established by other judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. With 1,115 decisions on record, this data provides a stable look at past performance. 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 Goldstein. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Goldstein'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 Stewart Goldstein has shown variation across his 1,115 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 54% in 2016, the figures shifted to 49% in 2017 and 55% in 2018, before a partial-year record of 43% in 2019. These fluctuations are common in SSDI dockets and often reflect shifts in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented. This trend pattern suggests that your outcome remains sensitive to the specific medical documentation you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Goldstein'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as part of the broader SSA administrative network. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 55%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus is on the medical evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Norfolk hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 48% to 60% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Stewart Goldstein has an approval rate of 52% based on his 1,115 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 48% to 60% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific standards of this bench.
Stewart Goldstein's approval rate has fluctuated over his record, moving from 54% in 2016 to 49% in 2017, 55% in 2018, and 43% in 2019. These changes are common and do not necessarily indicate a permanent shift in judicial philosophy. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of 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, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with professional legal support. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly organized.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Stewart Goldstein's 52% rate provides context, your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may impact your hearing.
