Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While Seth I. Grossman has a 41% approval rate on record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 48%. This compares to the latest-period office rate of 58%, the state rate of 62%, and the national rate of 58%. These figures provide a basis for analyzing the office's recent activity.
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 Grossman'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, Seth I. Grossman has issued 2,755 decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated, reaching 33% in 2016, 53% in 2024, and 48% in the partial year of 2026. This variability reflects the unique nature of the evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grossman'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 New York hearing office
Seth I. Grossman's most recent office on record is the New York Hearing Office, which serves you in the New York region. This office hosts 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, and it maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 58%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Hearing Office. Approval rates for this bench range from 36% to 81% 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
Seth I. Grossman has a 41% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Hearing Office, approval rates range from 36% to 81%. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these patterns.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 2,755 decisions on record since 2016. It began at 33% in 2016 and reached 48% in the latest partial year of 2026. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the requirements of any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
The 41% approval rate on record since 2016 for Seth I. Grossman reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
