Approval rates
Comparing an approval rate requires looking at consistent timeframes and peer benchmarks. The 28% approval rate for Leslie Perry-Dowdell reflects a docket of 3,371 decisions since 2016. When evaluating this against the Pittsburgh office's bench, which ranges from 28% to 74% in approval rates, you can see where this judge sits relative to local peers. These figures represent historical data rather than a forecast for your specific claim.
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 Perry-Dowdell'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 Leslie Perry-Dowdell has fluctuated over the years, starting at 41% in 2016 and reaching 28% in the most recent reporting period. With 3,371 decisions on record since 2016, the data indicates a shift in the judge's pattern over the last decade. This recent figure reflects a continuation of the judge's established decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Perry-Dowdell'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 Pittsburgh hearing office
The Pittsburgh hearing office serves claimants across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. As of the most recent office on record in July 2026, this location hosts a bench of 13 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 49%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh
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 Pittsburgh hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 74% since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Leslie Perry-Dowdell has an approval rate of 28% on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 28% to 74% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time, starting at 41% in 2016 and reaching 28% in the most recent reporting period. These fluctuations are common as case mixes and evidence standards evolve. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations from the judge and potentially a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to clearly explain your disability to the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Leslie Perry-Dowdell has a 28% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual success depends on the medical evidence and the strength of your claim. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific criteria required for approval.
