Approval rates
Judge Hogan’s 47% lifetime approval rate is measured against the latest reporting period where the Boston Hearing Office averaged 53% and the national average reached 58%. This data is derived from 14,765 lifetime decisions. Comparing these figures helps you understand the broader context of your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual case.
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 Hogan'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
Over his 8 years on the bench, Judge Hogan has maintained a steady decision pattern. His approval rates saw a peak in 2016 at 52% before shifting to 46% in 2023. This trend suggests a consistent application of disability standards throughout his career, indicating that his approach to evidence evaluation remains predictable.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hogan'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.
Hearing with Judge Hogan? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Boston hearing office
The Boston Hearing Office serves a large population across Massachusetts, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an office-wide approval rate that often aligns with regional trends. You can visit the Boston Hearing Office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Hogan is random. The bench at the Boston office is diverse, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 37% to 65% among the 6 judges. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.