Approval rates
Understanding your judge's history helps you prepare for the hearing process. Brian G. Kanner's 64% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges on record at the Bronx hearing office. These figures are derived from a significant volume of 2,435 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation for your review.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kanner. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kanner'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 decision record for Brian G. Kanner has shown a generally steady pattern with some recent variance. While the approval rate fluctuated between 57% and 75% in various years, the overall trend reflects a consistent approach to evaluating disability claims. The latest period shows a 75% approval rate in 2025, which may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality. This data provides a useful baseline for understanding how your case may be evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kanner'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for Social Security Disability Insurance cases in New York. With a bench of 16 judges on record, the office manages a complex caseload with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 55%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 43% to 84% over their respective careers.
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
Brian G. Kanner has a 64% lifetime approval rate, which places him within the 43% to 84% range of all judges who have served at the Bronx office since 2016. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Brian G. Kanner has shown some fluctuation over his 2,435 lifetime decisions since 2016. While the rate has seen years as low as 57% and as high as 75%, the overall pattern remains a key point of interest. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical documentation.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Brian G. Kanner has a 64% lifetime approval rate, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before the hearing.