Approval rates
Comparing Nathan Mellman's performance requires looking at both long-term records and recent trends. Since 2016, the judge has an approval rate of 41%, which is at the lower end of the 41% to 82% range observed among the bench at the Chicago office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 39% approval rate trailed the office average of 54% by 15 percentage points. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than future outcomes.
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 Mellman'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 rate for Nathan Mellman has fluctuated over the 3,540 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of growth between 2016 and 2019, the trend showed variability before reaching a peak of 50% in 2024. The most recent data from 2026 shows an approval rate of 39% through the partial fiscal year, reflecting a shift from the higher rates seen in the previous two years. This recent period suggests a return toward the judge's historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mellman'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 Chicago hearing office
Nathan Mellman's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Illinois region and maintains a bench of 14 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 54%, providing a benchmark for the local hearing environment. You can review the Chicago Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
Social Security Administration cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago office, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 41% to 82%, your specific assignment is a significant factor in your case. You can find the full roster of judges on the Chicago 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
Nathan Mellman has an approval rate of 41% since 2016, which is at the lower end of the 41% to 82% range for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific judge.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 3,540 decisions on record. It rose from 30% in 2016 to a peak of 50% in 2024, before settling at 39% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Regardless of your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
A hearing typically involves testimony from you, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert, regarding your ability to work. The judge will review your medical records and evidence to determine eligibility. Having an attorney can help you navigate these proceedings and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 41% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you identify the specific evidence needed to meet the requirements of your claim.
