Approval rates
The 77% approval rate for Moises Penalver reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Hearing Office. This range provides context for how different judges approach their dockets. 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 Penalver. 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 Penalver'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 Moises Penalver has shown variance across the 2,314 decisions on record since 2016. After a peak in 2017, the rate experienced a period of relative stability before seeing an uptick in 2024 and 2025. These trends illustrate the judge's historical decision-making consistency.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Penalver'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 hearing office
The New York Hearing Office is one of the busiest administrative hubs in the state. With 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a significant volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
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 the New York Hearing Office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Because assignment is outside of your control, understanding the broader office environment is useful.
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
Moises Penalver has an approval rate of 77% across 2,314 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Moises Penalver has fluctuated over time. After starting at 74% in 2016, the rate reached 83% in 2017, saw a period of lower rates between 2021 and 2023, and rose to 86% in 2025. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random 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. An attorney can help you organize your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Working with an attorney can help you organize your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Moises Penalver has an approval rate of 77% since 2016, every case is decided on its own merits and evidence. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a favorable decision.
