Approval rates
Understanding how a judge compares to their peers provides helpful context for your upcoming hearing. The bench at the New Haven hearing office shows a range of approval rates from 36% to 58% based on records since 2016. By reviewing these figures alongside the 877 decisions on record for Brien Horan, you can better understand the statistical landscape of your assigned hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Horan. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Horan'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 Brien Horan has shown variation across the 877 decisions on record since December 2017. The data indicates a 64% approval rate in 2018, 51% in 2019, 56% in 2020, and 38% in 2021. These trends reflect historical activity within the SSA system, though each case is unique and depends on the specific evidence you provide.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Horan'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 Haven hearing office
Brien Horan's most recent office on record is the New Haven hearing office, which serves you in Connecticut. The bench consists of 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. To learn more about the local bench, see the New Haven hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the New Haven hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 36% to 58% 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
Brien Horan has an approval rate of 55% across 877 decisions on record since 2017. This sits within the 36% to 58% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Brien Horan has fluctuated, starting at 64% in 2018 and reaching 38% in 2021. Because these figures represent past decisions, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your case. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your evidence aligns with current standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Your focus should be on building a strong case with medical evidence regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your hearing's outcome. While it provides context, the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in your disability decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and identify potential gaps in your records.
