Approval rates
The approval rate for Deirdre R. Horton is based on 2,876 decisions since 2016. When compared to the bench at the New Haven hearing office, where judges range from 36% to 58% in their approval rates, her record provides a stable point of reference. Understanding these figures helps you grasp the statistical landscape of your upcoming hearing. These aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Horton. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Horton'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, the approval rate for Deirdre R. Horton has fluctuated between 47% and 54% annually. With 2,876 total decisions on record, the data shows a consistent pattern of adjudication over the last eight years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Horton'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
The New Haven hearing office serves you if you are in Connecticut and the surrounding region. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 47%. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 58% on their records since 2016. The office's bench maintains a consistent range of outcomes for your review.
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
Deirdre R. Horton sits within the approval rate range of 36% to 58% established by the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is New Haven. Her 52% approval rate reflects her specific record of 2,876 decisions since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local trends.
The approval rate for Deirdre R. Horton has held steady since 2016. While annual rates have moved between 47% and 54%, there is no evidence of a significant shift in her decision-making pattern over the 2,876 decisions on record. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge at the New Haven office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you present your evidence clearly and effectively during this process.
The 52% approval rate for Deirdre R. Horton is a summary of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on your medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
