Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Sharif F. Nesheiwat based on the 214 decisions on record from June 2017 through September 2018. We compare this to the performance of other judges at the New York Varick office who appear in SSA's latest file, using their own records since 2016. These statistics provide a baseline for the office's bench. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Judge Nesheiwat is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Nesheiwat isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Nesheiwat'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
Sharif F. Nesheiwat's record covers 214 decisions from June 2017 through September 2018. In 2017, the approval rate was 82% over 42 decisions. In 2018, the rate was 85% across 172 decisions. This data reflects the judge's activity during that specific window on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Nesheiwat'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 New York Varick hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office serves you and other claimants across the New York region. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process designed to evaluate the medical and vocational evidence in your file. See the New York Varick Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the New York Varick office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 5 of them having decided cases in SSA's latest file. These 5 judges range from 48% to 77% 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
Sharif F. Nesheiwat's 85% approval rate on record through 2018 sits within the context of the office's bench. The 5 judges currently active in SSA's latest file at this office have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 48% to 77%. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
The approval rate for Sharif F. Nesheiwat was 82% in 2017 and 85% in 2018. This reflects the data on record for those specific years. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, a free case review can provide clarity on your options. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New York Varick office. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. 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 records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony presented in your file. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
