Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 50% approval rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, recent performance metrics offer a look at current trends. By evaluating these figures against the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York office, you can better understand the local environment.
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 McCormack'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 trend for Kieran McCormack has fluctuated over the 3,085 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period, you saw approval rates shift, with the latest period showing a 50% approval rate. This pattern reflects the specific evidence presented in your peers' cases rather than a fixed outcome for your own.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McCormack'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office serves a diverse population, with 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 58%. You should be prepared for a review of your medical evidence and vocational history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York office. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 records.
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
Kieran McCormack's 50% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 36% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the New York office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 47% in 2016 and reaching 50% in the most recent period. These shifts reflect the evolving nature of the docket and the evidence presented in each case. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Having legal representation can ensure your evidence is presented clearly, and an attorney can help you navigate this process.
The 50% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you strengthen your case.
