Approval rates
The 49% approval rate for Owen B. Katzman reflects his decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 42% to 78% range of his peers at the same office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment. 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 Katzman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Katzman'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 Owen B. Katzman is based on 268 decisions on record since 2016. During the 2016 data window, the approval rate remained steady at 49%. This pattern provides a consistent view of his decision-making during that period. Your individual outcome depends heavily on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors presented in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Katzman'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 Philadelphia hearing office
Owen B. Katzman's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, where the bench consists of 14 judges with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical and vocational documentation.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 78% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Owen B. Katzman has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 78% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Owen B. Katzman was 49% during the 2016 data window. This rate reflects a consistent pattern across his 268 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case fully prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence to present the strongest possible case.
The 49% approval rate for Owen B. Katzman is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
