Approval rates
When reviewing the performance of an ALJ, it is helpful to compare their lifetime approval rate against current benchmarks. Judge Kozma maintains a 69% approval rate, which stands notably higher than the Pittsburgh Hearing Office average of 48% and the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from a docket of 747 lifetime decisions, providing a statistically significant view of their bench history. These aggregate rates reflect past trends rather than specific predictions for your 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 Kozma'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 a tenure of 1 year on the bench, Judge Kozma has maintained a consistent approach to disability claims. With 747 lifetime decisions recorded, the data reflects a steady pattern of adjudication. The latest reporting period shows the judge performing 21 percentage points above the local office average, indicating a distinct trend in how cases are evaluated in this courtroom. This pattern suggests that the judge's approach remains stable, providing a reliable baseline for you as you prepare your evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kozma'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 with Judge Kozma? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Pittsburgh hearing office
The Pittsburgh Hearing Office serves a broad population across Pennsylvania, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office currently reports an average approval rate of 48%. You can expect a rigorous review of your medical documentation and vocational history when your case is heard here. You can see the Pittsburgh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your specific judge is selected randomly. Within the Pittsburgh Hearing Office, the 6 judges range from 28% to 69% in their lifetime approval rates. This variance highlights why it is essential to focus on the strength of your medical evidence regardless of the judge assigned. You can find more information on the Pittsburgh Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.