Approval rates
Judge Mastin maintains a lifetime approval rate of 70%, a figure derived from a docket of 15,693 lifetime decisions over his 10-year tenure. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate reached 82%, which is 21 points above the current NHC Baltimore office average of 49%. These metrics provide a window into historical trends, though they should be viewed as a probability cloud rather than a guarantee. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Mastin'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
Over his 10 years on the bench, Judge Mastin has demonstrated a varied approval trajectory. While his lifetime average remains 70%, yearly data shows fluctuations, including a period of lower approval rates in 2021 before a return to higher levels in 2025. This pattern suggests that the judge's approach to evidence and case requirements may evolve or respond to changes in the broader Social Security Administration caseload. The recent uptick in approvals reflects a shift that distinguishes the latest reporting period from the mid-tenure dip.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mastin'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.
Hearing scheduled?
About the Nhc Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore Hearing Office serves a significant volume of claimants across the Maryland region. With a bench of 6 judges, the office manages a complex caseload. The office's latest approval rate of 49% serves as a baseline for the local environment. You can visit the NHC Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Mastin is random. Within the NHC Baltimore office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 46% to 81%, highlighting the variance that exists even within the same facility. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the most effective way to prepare. The guidance for your hearing remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically 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.