Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Jan Leventer maintains an 85% lifetime approval rate, recent data shows a 94% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 18 percentage points above the Queens office average of 76%. These statistics are derived from a large docket of 4,173 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Leventer'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 record for Jan Leventer has shown a generally upward trajectory since 2016. After a dip in 2020, the approval rate has climbed steadily, reaching 94% in the most recent reporting period. This latest performance represents a continuation of the judge's recent trend of higher approval rates compared to the lifetime average. Understanding this pattern helps you see how the judge has handled cases over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Leventer'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Queens hearing office
The Queens hearing office serves you in New York and is part of a busy regional network. With 11 judges on record since 2016, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 76%. You can expect a rigorous review of your medical evidence and vocational history. You can see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/queens-NY Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Jan Leventer is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at the Queens office, 6 of whom reported data in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 49% to 85%. 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
In the latest reporting period, Jan Leventer approved 94% of cases, which is 18 percentage points higher than the Queens office average of 76%. While this data is helpful for context, your case outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Jan Leventer has shifted since 2016. After reaching a low of 64% in 2020, the rate has trended upward, reaching 94% in the most recent period. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge 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 for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 85% lifetime approval rate for Jan Leventer is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. Every case is unique, and your medical documentation is the most important factor. An attorney can help you determine if your case is ready for a hearing.