Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure the data is meaningful. While Gerard W. Langan has an approval rate of 50% across his record since 2016, it is helpful to view this alongside the performance of the bench at the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office, where the 13 judges range from 27% to 57% on their since-2016 records.
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 Langan'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 January 2016, Gerard W. Langan has issued 4,071 decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated over this period, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 50% in the latest reporting period. This latest-period rate is 5 percentage points higher than the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office's latest-period average of 45%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Langan'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 Wilkes Barre hearing office
The Wilkes Barre Hearing Office is the most recent office on record for 13 judges. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 45%. You can find the full roster of judges at the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 57% since 2016.
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
Gerard W. Langan has an approval rate of 50% on his record since 2016. This sits within the range of 27% to 57% observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. After starting at 54% in 2016, the rate reached a low of 43% in 2021 before returning to 50% in the most recent reporting period. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a judge's decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
