Approval rates
The approval rates for William M. Manico reflect a significant body of work, with 3,149 decisions analyzed since 2016. When comparing his latest-period performance to the broader Baltimore office, he maintains a rate of 73%, which is 13 points higher than the office average of 60%. These figures offer a statistical baseline for understanding his decision-making history.
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 Manico'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 yearly trend for William M. Manico shows a shift toward higher approval rates in recent years. After starting with a 60% rate in 2016, his decisions have trended upward, reaching 84% in 2025. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Manico'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves you throughout Maryland and the surrounding region. With a bench of 26 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 60%. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases to judges through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 26 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 10 currently reporting in the latest period. The lifetime approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 79%, highlighting the variance you might encounter.
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
William M. Manico has a lifetime approval rate of 68% across 3,149 decisions. This sits within the office-wide range of 32% to 79% for all judges on record. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear upward trend in approvals since 2016. While his rate was 60% in 2016, it has risen in recent years, reaching 84% in 2025. An attorney can help you prepare your case to align with the evidence requirements that this judge prioritizes.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you build a strong case for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the specific challenges of your hearing.