Approval rates
The approval rate for Sharif F. Nesheiwat is based on 214 decisions on record since 2017. When reviewing these figures, compare them against the broader bench at the New York Varick office, where judges range from 48% to 85% in their approval rates on record since 2016. This range provides context for how different adjudicators approach evidence in disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Nesheiwat. 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 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
The approval rate for Sharif F. Nesheiwat has remained high throughout the recorded window. Starting with an 82% approval rate over 42 decisions in 2017, the rate shifted to 85% over 172 decisions in 2018. With 214 total decisions on record since 2017, the data shows a consistent pattern of allowance. This steady trend suggests that the judge's approach to evaluating evidence remained stable over the period captured in the data.
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
Sharif F. Nesheiwat's most recent office on record is the New York Varick hearing office. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges, each with varying approval patterns based on their individual records. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the New York Varick Hearing Office page for the full ALJ 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. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Varick office, with approval rates ranging from 48% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Five of these judges decided cases here in the latest SSA file.
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 has an 85% approval rate on record since 2017, which is at the high end of the 48% to 85% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Sharif F. Nesheiwat has remained steady, moving from 82% in 2017 to 85% in 2018. This consistency across 214 decisions on record since 2017 suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your evidence will be viewed, an attorney can help you review your file.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New York Varick office, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for any specific hearing. While Sharif F. Nesheiwat has an 85% approval rate on record since 2017, your outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and documentation in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
