Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Jason Panek has a 43% approval rate on record since 2017, his latest-period approval rate is 50%. This latest figure sits 3 points below the Akron OH office average of 53%, 5 points below the state average, and 8 points below the national average. These statistics are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable look at past performance.
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 Panek'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 Jason Panek has fluctuated since 2017, moving from 55% in 2018 to a low of 36% in 2021 before reaching 50% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 3,053 decisions on record, this pattern reflects a shift in outcomes over time. The latest period shows an increase compared to his long-term average, which may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Panek'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 Akron OH hearing office
Jason Panek's most recent office on record is the Akron OH hearing office, which serves you throughout the region. This office maintains a bench of 13 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 53%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Akron OH
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Akron OH hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 43% to 80% on their records since 2016. 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
Jason Panek has a 43% approval rate on record since 2017. This sits within the 43% to 80% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Akron OH hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Jason Panek has varied over time, starting at 55% in 2018 and reaching 50% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common in SSDI dockets and may be influenced by the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you determine if your evidence aligns with current standards.
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, it is vital to prepare your case thoroughly regardless of who is assigned. 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 hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for these questions.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Jason Panek has a 43% approval rate on record since 2017, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the requirements of the hearing office.
