Approval rates
The approval rate for Deirdre R. Horton currently stands at 52% over her 9-year tenure. This figure is evaluated against the latest New Haven Hearing Office average of 52% and the national average of 58%. These statistics are derived from 18,546 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 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
Over her 9 years on the bench, Deirdre R. Horton has maintained a consistent decision pattern. Her approval rates have fluctuated within a stable range, showing no extreme shifts in her approach to disability claims. The latest reporting period shows a rate of 52%, which aligns closely with her long-term average. This steady pattern suggests a predictable approach to evidence evaluation, though your case remains unique based on the medical documentation you provide.
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.
Hearing scheduled?
About the New Haven hearing office
The New Haven Hearing Office serves a significant population across Connecticut, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office handles cases with a focus on regional compliance and federal Social Security Administration standards. You can expect a formal process centered on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You may visit the New Haven Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the New Haven Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 37% to 57%. This variance highlights why your specific medical evidence is the most critical factor in your hearing. You can find more information on the New Haven Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically 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.