Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's record requires looking at the full scope of their activity. Jeffrey Mastin has maintained a 70% lifetime approval rate over 2,398 decisions, which sits within the broader 40% to 90% range observed among the bench at the NHC Baltimore office. Because this data spans from 2016 to 2025, it provides a stable view of his decision-making history. 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 Mastin. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
The record for Jeffrey Mastin shows a varied approval trend since 2016. While his approval rate reached highs in 2017 and 2019, the data also reflects periods of lower activity, such as in 2021. More recently, the approval rate has shown an upward trajectory, with 2025 figures reaching 80%. This fluctuation suggests that the judge's approach to evidence and case requirements may shift over time, and the latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern.
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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore hearing office serves you if you are a claimant throughout the region. With a bench of 14 judges on record, this office manages a high volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the NHC Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. There are 14 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 90% lifetime. 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
Jeffrey Mastin has a 70% lifetime approval rate, which is positioned within the 40% to 90% range of his peers at the NHC Baltimore office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards typically applied in this office.
Yes, the data shows a dynamic trend. After reaching 82% in 2017, the rate saw a decline to 43% in 2021 before rebounding to 80% in 2025. This variation highlights why professional legal preparation is essential for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and present your case effectively.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Jeffrey Mastin has approved 70% of his 2,398 lifetime decisions, your success depends on the specific evidence in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.