Approval rates
The data shows that Gregory Moldafsky's lifetime approval rate of 37% sits within the broader office range of 33% to 85% for all judges on record at the Washington office. In the most recent reporting period, his 36% approval rate is lower than the office-wide rate of 63%. These figures are based on a substantial docket of 2,217 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of his past record.
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 Moldafsky'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
Since 2016, your approval rate for Gregory Moldafsky has fluctuated, showing a peak of 51% in 2017 followed by varying annual results. His recent activity shows a 36% approval rate in the latest period, which is consistent with his long-term average. This pattern suggests a steady approach to case evaluation. Understanding these trends helps you and your legal representative focus on the evidence that matters most in your specific case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Moldafsky'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 Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves you throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With a bench of 19 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a professional environment where thorough documentation of medical evidence is essential for a successful outcome. You can see the Washington Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Washington hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is selected randomly. There are 19 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 14 currently reporting in the latest SSA data. These judges demonstrate a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 33% to 85%.
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
Gregory Moldafsky's lifetime approval rate of 37% is positioned within the office's wide range of 33% to 85%. While he sits on the lower end of this spectrum compared to some peers, every case is decided on its own merits. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards Gregory Moldafsky expects.
His approval rate has seen various shifts since 2016, starting at 51% and moving to 36% in the most recent period. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you navigate these trends to ensure your application is as strong as possible.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, your best strategy is to prepare a comprehensive case file that meets the requirements of any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented to the judge.