Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Aaron M. Morgan's lifetime record of 48% sits within the 48% to 85% lifetime approval range observed among all judges at the New York Varick office. In the most recent reporting period, the 51% approval rate is evaluated against current office, state, and national benchmarks. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Morgan'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, the approval rate for Aaron M. Morgan has experienced fluctuations, moving from 56% in the early part of the record to 51% in the most recent period. The data shows a varied yearly trend, with activity peaking in recent years as the docket grew to 821 lifetime decisions. This pattern reflects a judge who manages a high volume of cases, with the latest period showing a continuation of recent activity levels. These trends provide a window into past decision-making but do not dictate the outcome of your specific case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morgan'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 Varick hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office serves you throughout the New York region. With a bench of 10 judges on record, this office manages a high volume of disability claims under the oversight of the Social Security Administration. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 66%, reflecting the broader environment in which your hearing occurs. You can see the New York Varick 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 your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at the New York Varick office since 2016, with 5 judges reporting in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 85% on a lifetime basis.
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
Aaron M. Morgan has a lifetime approval rate of 48%, which is at the lower end of the 48% to 85% lifetime approval range for the 10 judges on record at the New York Varick office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this courtroom.
Yes, the approval rate for Aaron M. Morgan has shifted over the course of his 821 lifetime decisions since 2016. While the rate was 56% in 2016, it has fluctuated annually, reaching 51% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical trends might relate to the current requirements for your disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New York Varick office. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony aligns with the evidence in your file.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical records and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific evidentiary needs of your hearing.