Approval rates
When evaluating your claim, it is helpful to look at the broader context of the Baltimore hearing office. Judges whose most recent office on record is this one show an approval-rate range from 32% to 79% based on their records since 2016. This variation highlights why thorough preparation is essential regardless of the judge assigned to your case. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Ortis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ortis'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, the approval rate for Jesus Ortis has fluctuated across his 526 decisions on record. The rate has seen variation in different periods, which can occur due to changes in the types of cases assigned or updates in medical evidence standards. The most recent data reflects a continuation of this varied pattern rather than a single fixed trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ortis'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 claimants throughout the region. With 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%, providing a baseline for the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 79%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. 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
Jesus Ortis has an approval rate of 64% on record since 2016. Among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Baltimore hearing office, approval rates range from 32% to 79%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively before this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Jesus Ortis has varied across his 526 decisions on record since 2016. The rate has fluctuated in different periods. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific medical documentation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the requirements regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Jesus Ortis has a 64% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the evidence supporting your disability. An attorney can help you identify and organize the evidence necessary to support your claim.
