Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 58% approval rate for David F. Neumann reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which compares against the 40% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. With 2,687 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of historical trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Neumann. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Neumann'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 David F. Neumann has fluctuated across the 2,687 decisions on record since 2016. After a peak in 2018, the rate saw a decline in 2020 before showing variability in recent years. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Neumann'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 Albany hearing office
The Albany hearing office serves you across New York and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Albany, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 81%. Because the specific judge you draw can influence the outcome, understanding the broader bench is helpful.
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
David F. Neumann has an approval rate of 58% based on 2,687 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for David F. Neumann has seen various shifts since 2016, ranging from a high of 65% in 2018 to lower points in 2020 and 2024. These fluctuations are common and often relate to the specific mix of cases assigned to the judge. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
The 58% approval rate for David F. Neumann is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you review your case file to see if you have the necessary evidence to meet the judge's standards.
