Approval rates
The approval rates for Neely reflect a consistent history of decision-making within the Baltimore office. While his lifetime rate stands at 69%, the broader bench at this office shows a wide range of outcomes, spanning from 32% to 79% across all judges on record. Comparing his latest-period performance to the office, state, and national averages helps contextualize his recent activity.
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 Neely'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, Neely has maintained a steady approval pattern that has remained largely consistent over the last decade. His latest-period approval rate of 69% aligns closely with his long-term average. This stability suggests a predictable approach to evaluating evidence and medical testimony.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Neely'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 Baltimore hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for SSDI adjudication in Maryland. The office maintains a bench of 26 judges on record, with a latest-period office-wide approval rate of 60%. You can expect a rigorous review process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Baltimore hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. There are 26 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. With a lifetime approval range of 32% to 79% across the bench, the judge you draw can influence the procedural flow of your hearing.
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
Neely has a lifetime approval rate of 69%, which sits within the office-wide range of 32% to 79%. While he is one of 26 judges on record at this office, his latest-period approval rate is 9 points higher than the office average. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to best suit this judge's bench.
Neely has maintained a relatively steady approval rate since 2016, with his latest-period rate of 69% remaining consistent with his long-term performance. While yearly rates have varied, his docket of 2,936 decisions provides a stable record of his decision-making patterns. An attorney can help you prepare your case based on these historical trends.
No. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any judge assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of the judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your medical records are complete.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Neely has a lifetime approval rate of 69%, your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove disability under SSA guidelines. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present at your hearing.