Approval rates
The 28% approval rate for Robert T. Harvey represents his total decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 28% to 89% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Buffalo. This docket size provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Harvey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harvey'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 247 decisions on record for Robert T. Harvey since 2016 show an approval rate of 28%. Because the data window begins in 2016, this figure represents the entirety of his activity within the tracked period. This consistency provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically approached cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harvey'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 Buffalo hearing office
Robert T. Harvey's most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office, where he last recorded a decision in September 2016. This office serves the New York region and maintains a bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Buffalo
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evidence, the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant factor.
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 T. Harvey has an approval rate of 28% on record since 2016. This is at the low end of the 28% to 89% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Robert T. Harvey has remained at 28% based on the 247 decisions on record since 2016. Because the data is limited to this window, we track this pattern rather than long-term fluctuations. An attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your upcoming hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how Robert T. Harvey will rule on your specific claim. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in any hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
