Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at both lifetime averages and recent trends. M. Krasnow has maintained a consistent record across 15,046 lifetime decisions, providing a clear statistical baseline. While the latest approval rate of 34% differs from the 61% office average, this data reflects a broad range of case types and evidence quality. 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 Krasnow'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 9 years on the bench, M. Krasnow has demonstrated a steady decision-making pattern. While yearly approval rates have fluctuated—dipping to 24% in 2022 and rising to 40% in 2023—the overall volume of cases remains significant. The latest period shows a rate of 34%, which aligns closely with the long-term lifetime average. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating your medical evidence and vocational factors.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Krasnow'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 Krasnow? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Washington hearing office
The Washington (District of Columbia) hearing office serves you throughout the capital region. This office manages a high volume of cases with an office-wide approval rate of 61%. You should be prepared for a formal hearing process where your medical documentation and vocational testimony are central to the outcome. You can see the Washington (District of Columbia) Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. At the Washington (District of Columbia) hearing office, the bench includes 6 judges with lifetime approval rates ranging from 33% to 57%. Because assignment is essentially random, you should focus on building the strongest possible case regardless of who presides. You can find more information on the Washington (District of Columbia) 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.