Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Vadim Mozyrsky has a 42% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate is 49%. This sits against an office-wide latest-period rate of 64%, a state-wide rate of 61%, and a national average of 58%. These figures are derived from thousands of cases, providing a statistical baseline for your expectations.
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 Mozyrsky'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, Vadim Mozyrsky has presided over 3,125 lifetime decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated over the years, showing a rise in 2020 and 2024 before settling into the current 49% range in the latest reporting period. This trend suggests a dynamic approach to evidence evaluation. The recent figures reflect a continuation of this varied pattern, which is common as case types and medical evidence requirements evolve.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mozyrsky'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 Portland OR hearing office
The Portland OR hearing office serves you throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of SSDI and SSI applications. With 12 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 64%. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical documentation and vocational testimony are central to the outcome. You can find more information on the Portland OR Hearing Office page.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 66% on lifetime records. You can expect the same formal hearing process regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Vadim Mozyrsky's latest-period approval rate of 49% is 15 points lower than the 64% average for the Portland OR office. Because approval rates vary widely among the 12 judges on record, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a fluctuating trend since 2016. After reaching 52% in 2020 and 56% in 2024, the rate has adjusted to 49% in the most recent period. Understanding these shifts is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Vadim Mozyrsky has a 42% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.