Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your 42% approval rate covers the entire period since 2016, recent data provides a snapshot of current trends. In the latest reporting period, your 49% approval rate sits 15 points below the 64% office-wide average. These figures are based on 3,125 decisions on record, providing a foundation for review. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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
Your approval trend has fluctuated across the 3,125 decisions on record since 2016. After a low point in 2017, the rate saw notable shifts, including a peak of 52% in 2020 and 56% in 2024. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 49% approval rate, which is higher than your long-term average. This recent performance suggests a continuation of the varied patterns observed over the last decade.
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
Vadim Mozyrsky's most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the region and maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 64%, reflecting the local environment for disability claims. You can see the Portland OR Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 34% to 66% on their since-2016 records. 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
Vadim Mozyrsky has a 42% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 34% to 66% observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, your approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 37% in 2016 and reaching 49% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge in the office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
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 your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Vadim Mozyrsky will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a stronger case by ensuring all necessary documentation is submitted.
