Approval rates
This table displays the approval record for Lawrence Levey compared to the bench at the NHC Baltimore. The data is drawn from 2,400 decisions on record since 2016, providing a statistical view of past activity.
Judge Levey is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Levey isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Levey'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
Lawrence Levey has issued 2,400 decisions on record since 2016. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, starting at 61% in 2016 and reaching 74% in 2025. The data indicates that the approval rate has moved through various levels over this period, with the most recent 2025 data point sitting above the overall record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Levey'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 NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore is the most recent office on record for Lawrence Levey, with activity documented through September 2025. The bench consists of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Baltimore
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The 3 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 46% to 55% on their since-2016 records. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 3 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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
Lawrence Levey has a 61% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the context of the 3 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file, who range from 46% to 55% on their since-2016 records. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Lawrence Levey has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 47% in 2021 to a high of 74% in 2025. These figures are based on 2,400 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your case preparation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments are random. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence regardless of your judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence in your file. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and your medical limitations. An attorney can help you feel more prepared for the questions you may face.
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. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
