Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 37% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a broad view of decision history, while the latest-period data allows for a more current comparison against the NHC Falls Church office. With 2,419 decisions on record, the data offers a significant sample size for analysis.
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
The approval rate for Gregory Moldafsky has fluctuated over the years, starting at 51% in 2017 and reaching 36% in the latest partial 2026 reporting period. This record of 2,419 decisions since December 2016 shows a varied trend. While the latest-period approval rate of 36% sits 3 points above the office-wide latest-period rate of 33%, it remains below state and national averages.
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 NHC Falls Church hearing office
Gregory Moldafsky's most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the District of Columbia region and maintains a bench of 33 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 33%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Falls Church
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church. Approval rates for this bench range from 29% to 85% 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
Gregory Moldafsky has an approval rate of 37% on his record since 2016. Among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Falls Church, approval rates range from 29% to 85%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Gregory Moldafsky has shifted over time, moving from 51% in 2017 to 36% in the latest 2026 reporting period. These fluctuations are based on 2,419 decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on preparing a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and symptoms. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face during the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to meet the SSA's criteria.
