Approval rates
The approval rate for Lawrence Levey is based on 2,400 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of his history at the NHC Baltimore office. When compared to the office-wide lifetime range of 40% to 90%, his record sits within the established local bench norms. These figures offer context for how your case may be evaluated, though they are not guarantees. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Levey. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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 maintained a consistent record since 2016, with yearly approval rates showing natural fluctuations over his 2,400 decisions. While the rate was 47% in 2021, recent years have shown a return to his historical average. This consistency suggests a judge who applies a stable approach to the evidence presented in your case. The recent data indicates that his decision-making process remains aligned with his long-term trends.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore hearing office serves claimants throughout Maryland and the surrounding region. With 14 judges on record, the office handles a high volume of cases using a standardized process. You can expect a professional environment focused on the specific medical evidence of your disability. You can see the NHC Baltimore hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 40% to 90%. Because your assigned judge is outside of your control, understanding the general environment of the office is vital. 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
Lawrence Levey has a lifetime approval rate of 61%, which falls within the 40% to 90% range seen across the 14 judges on record at the NHC Baltimore office. While his rate is a useful data point, your specific medical evidence is the most important factor in your case. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Lawrence Levey has shown a steady pattern across his 2,400 lifetime decisions since 2016. While there was a notable variance in 2021, his recent decisions have returned to levels consistent with his long-term average. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the NHC Baltimore office, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is clearly presented to the judge.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Lawrence Levey's 61% rate provides context, every case is unique and depends on the quality of the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.