Approval rates
The approval rate for Steven J. Neary is based on 295 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2018. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Fort Wayne hearing office, where judges have recorded approval rates ranging from 45% to 68% since 2016. These statistics provide a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific 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 28, 2018. 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
Steven J. Neary's approval rate showed fluctuation during his time on record. He began with a 58% approval rate in 2016, saw a slight increase to 61% in 2017, and concluded with a 53% rate in 2018. These figures represent a total of 295 decisions analyzed over the period. While yearly trends can shift based on the complexity of cases or changes in medical evidence, this pattern reflects his historical activity at the Fort Wayne office.
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 Fort Wayne hearing office
The Fort Wayne hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region. There are 4 judges on record at this location, reflecting a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical evidence presented in your file. You can see the Fort Wayne Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Wayne
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 4 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Wayne hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 68% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Steven J. Neary's 58% approval rate falls within the 45% to 68% range observed among the 4 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Wayne hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Steven J. Neary's approval rate was 58% in 2016, 61% in 2017, and 53% in 2018. These variations are common as case mixes evolve, and an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
The 58% approval rate on record for Steven J. Neary represents past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide, which an attorney can help you organize.
