Approval rates
The 50% approval rate for Donald M. Graffius covers all 1,307 decisions on record since 2016. This can be evaluated against the 32% to 80% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. These figures provide a view of past activity rather than a prediction for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Graffius. 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 Graffius'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 Donald M. Graffius showed a steady trend across the 1,307 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 46% in 2016, 51% in 2017, 51% in 2018, and 52% in 2019. This consistency reflects the judge's approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Graffius'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 Johnstown hearing office
Donald M. Graffius's most recent office on record is the Johnstown hearing office, where he recorded decisions through September 2019. This office serves claimants in Pennsylvania. With 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a variety of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, so you cannot choose your judge. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 80% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot select your judge, your focus should remain on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Donald M. Graffius has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown, approval rates range from 32% to 80%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this office's bench.
The approval rate for Donald M. Graffius moved from 46% in 2016 to 52% in 2019, based on 1,307 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot request a specific judge, which is why preparing a strong case is essential regardless of who is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
The 50% approval rate for Donald M. Graffius is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
