Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same data window to ensure accuracy. The 56% approval rate for Lawrence J. Neary reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 17% to 86% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. This range highlights the variance in outcomes across the local bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Neary. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Neary'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 Lawrence J. Neary has remained relatively consistent across the 2,592 decisions on record since 2016. While yearly fluctuations occurred, the trend shows a steady pattern of approvals, with the most recent data points in 2022 showing a 62% approval rate. This stability suggests that the judge's approach to evaluating evidence has been consistent over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Neary'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the Harrisburg hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 86% on their since-2016 records. Five of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file. 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
Lawrence J. Neary has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 86% range of approval rates for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Lawrence J. Neary has remained steady across the 2,592 decisions on record since 2016. While there are year-to-year variations, the judge has maintained a consistent pattern of decision-making. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. Lawrence J. Neary has approved 56% of the 2,592 cases on record since 2016, but every case is unique based on the evidence provided. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
