Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. While the office bench shows a range of 34% to 66% for decisions since 2016, your individual outcome depends on the specific medical evidence presented in your file. With 2,681 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lynch. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lynch'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 rate for Steve Lynch has shown variation since 2016, starting at 54% and reaching a high of 63% in 2018 before shifting to 58% by 2021. This 2,681-decision record indicates a pattern that has remained relatively consistent over the five-year window. The fluctuations observed in the yearly data suggest that case mix and evidence quality play a significant role in final outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lynch'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 Portland OR hearing office
Steve Lynch's most recent SSA record (September 2021) is at the Portland OR hearing office. This office serves claimants throughout Oregon and the surrounding region, maintaining a bench of 12 judges on record. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in the judge's decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR office, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 66% on their since-2016 records. 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
Steve Lynch has an approval rate of 57% on his 2,681 decisions since 2016. This places him within the range of 34% to 66% seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Steve Lynch has fluctuated between 52% and 63% during the 2016 to 2021 period. These changes often reflect shifts in the types of cases heard rather than a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any judge at the Portland OR office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions the judge may ask.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Steve Lynch approved 57% of cases on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation.
