Approval rates
The approval rates for Alexander Klibaner are calculated from 2,938 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing his latest-period approval rate of 61% against the Boston hearing office's latest-period rate of 54%, he sits 7 percentage points higher. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases are processed at this office.
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 Klibaner'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, Alexander Klibaner has maintained a varied approval pattern. After an initial period of fluctuation, his annual approval rates have shown recent stability, with a 61% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This recent figure remains consistent with his long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Klibaner'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 Boston hearing office
The Boston hearing office serves you across Massachusetts and the surrounding region. It is staffed by a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 54%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Boston
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office, and 6 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 75% 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
Alexander Klibaner has an approval rate of 58% across 2,938 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the range of 37% to 75% observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Boston hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
His approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 61% in 2016 and reaching 61% in the most recent partial year of 2026. While annual rates have varied, his latest-period approval rate of 61% is consistent with his long-term record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Alexander Klibaner's 58% rate provides context, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before the judge.
