Approval rates
The approval rate for Vivian W. Mittleman is based on 154 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how cases have been decided in her courtroom compared to the 32% to 79% range seen across the Baltimore bench. While these statistics offer insight into past trends, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your claim. 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 Mittleman. 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 Mittleman'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 Vivian W. Mittleman spans from 2016 to 2016, during which she issued 154 decisions. Her lifetime approval rate of 68% reflects the outcomes of these cases. Because her data window is concentrated, the rate provides a snapshot of her decision-making during that period. This pattern remains a point of reference for understanding the consistency of her rulings over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mittleman'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a diverse bench of 26 judges on record. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%. For more information, see the Baltimore Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 26 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 79% 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
Vivian W. Mittleman has a lifetime approval rate of 68%. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 32% to 79% for the 26 judges on record in Baltimore. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with these local trends.
The data for Vivian W. Mittleman covers the period from 2016 to 2016, during which she maintained a 68% approval rate across 154 decisions. Because her record is concentrated in this window, the rate has held steady. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence fits into this established pattern.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Baltimore hearing office. Your best strategy is to focus on the strength of your medical documentation with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears 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 ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Vivian W. Mittleman has a 68% lifetime approval rate, the success of your claim depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file before your hearing.