Approval rates
Understanding the approval rate for Robert D. Marcinkowski requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. While the judge has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, the bench at the Orlando hearing office shows a wide range of outcomes, with individual judge rates spanning from 34% to 89% for the same period. This variance highlights why the specific judge assigned to your case is a significant factor in your hearing process. 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 Marcinkowski. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Marcinkowski'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 196 decisions on record for Robert D. Marcinkowski since January 2016 provide a clear view of the judge's historical pattern. During this period, the approval rate remained steady at 56%. Because the data window for this judge concludes in 2016, the pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation during that time. This steady trend suggests a stable decision-making process, though your case outcome will depend on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Marcinkowski'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 Orlando hearing office
The Orlando hearing office serves you and other claimants across Florida. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse caseload of SSDI and SSI claims. You can generally expect a formal hearing environment where the focus remains on your medical documentation and testimony. You can see the Orlando hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, the judge you draw can influence your hearing experience. You can find more information on the Orlando hearing office page.
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
Robert D. Marcinkowski has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, who collectively show approval rates between 34% and 89%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Robert D. Marcinkowski remained steady at 56% across the 196 decisions on record between January 2016 and September 2016. This consistency provides a stable baseline for understanding the judge's historical record. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, working with an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might draw.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will be present to discuss your ability to work. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions the judge may ask.
The 56% approval rate for Robert D. Marcinkowski reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome will depend on the quality of your medical records and your testimony. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to build a strong case for your disability claim.
