Approval rates
The 59% approval rate for David S. Pang reflects his total decisions on record since 2016. This is measured against the 40% to 90% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Baltimore. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the hearing environment, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pang. 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 Pang'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 S. Pang has fluctuated across the 1,149 decisions on record since 2016. Early in this period, approval rates were 61% in 2016 and 60% in 2017. More recently, the 2025 record shows an approval rate of 63% based on 24 decisions. This trend reflects the changing nature of the cases heard over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pang'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 NHC Baltimore hearing office
The NHC Baltimore serves claimants in Maryland and the surrounding region. As of the most recent office on record in September 2025, this location managed a bench of 16 judges. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Baltimore
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary widely from 40% to 90%. This variation highlights why understanding the specific bench is useful for your preparation.
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 S. Pang has an approval rate of 59% across 1,149 decisions on record since 2016. This places him within the 40% to 90% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC Baltimore. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for David S. Pang has fluctuated over the years, starting at 61% in 2016 and reaching 63% in 2025. Because these rates are based on past decisions, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you organize your evidence effectively.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your past employment and current limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While David S. Pang has approved 59% of cases on record since 2016, your result depends on the unique medical evidence you present. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
