Approval rates
David S. Lewandowski has an approval rate of 47% across 2,554 decisions on record since 2016. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 20%, compared to the 42% office average. These figures reflect past performance and do not guarantee the outcome of your specific 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 Lewandowski'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 trend for David S. Lewandowski has fluctuated since 2016, with yearly rates ranging from 40% to 53% before the most recent partial-year data. These variations often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned or the specific evidence presented. Focusing on the medical documentation supporting your claim remains the most effective way to prepare for your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lewandowski'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 Middlesboro hearing office
David S. Lewandowski's most recent office on record is Middlesboro, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 42%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Middlesboro
There are 5 judges whose most recent office on record is Middlesboro. Among this group, approval rates on record since 2016 range from 44% to 59%. Because the Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, you should prepare your case thoroughly regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
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
David S. Lewandowski has an approval rate of 47% across his 2,554 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 44% to 59% range observed among the 5 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for David S. Lewandowski has seen yearly fluctuations since 2016, ranging from a high of 53% in 2022 to 20% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These shifts are common in judicial dockets and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to strengthen your application.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building the strongest possible case regardless of who hears it.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While David S. Lewandowski has a 47% approval rate since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is fully documented.
