Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for John M. Lischak based on 1,638 total decisions recorded between 2016 and 2020. These figures provide a statistical view of past performance. The data is compared against the since-2016 record of the 7 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
Judge Lischak 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 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Lischak 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 Lischak'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
John M. Lischak's approval rate remained consistent from 2016 through 2020. The annual data shows an 86% approval rate in 2016, 84% in 2017, 86% in 2018, 89% in 2019, and 86% in 2020. This indicates a steady pattern of decisions across the 1,638 cases on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lischak'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 Syracuse hearing office
The Syracuse hearing office serves you and other claimants in the region. This office has a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the specific evidence of your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Syracuse
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. Approval rates vary across the bench, with the 7 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file ranging from 44% to 61% on their since-2016 records. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, though only 7 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
John M. Lischak's 86% approval rate on record through 2020 sits above the 44% to 61% range observed for the 7 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file on their since-2016 records. Because every case involves unique medical evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The data shows that John M. Lischak's approval rate remained steady, moving from 86% in 2016 to 86% in 2020. While the rate fluctuated between 84% and 89% during the intervening years, the overall pattern indicates consistency. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide to support your claim. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is organized and presented effectively.
