Approval rates
The approval rate for Stanley Petraschuk reflects the volume of cases decided between 2016 and 2017. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Dover hearing office, where approval rates for judges with records since 2016 range from 42% to 90%. This range highlights the variation in outcomes across different courtrooms.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Petraschuk. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Petraschuk'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
Stanley Petraschuk decided 155 cases between January 2016 and September 2017. During this period, the approval rate remained high, with 90% of cases approved in 2016 and 91% in 2017. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Petraschuk'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 Dover hearing office
Stanley Petraschuk's most recent office on record is the Dover hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office maintains a bench of 6 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative process governed by federal regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dover
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dover hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 90% on their since-2016 records. While these figures provide context for the office, your specific outcome depends on the evidence in your file.
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
Stanley Petraschuk has an approval rate of 90% based on 155 decisions on record since 2016. This is at the high end of the 42% to 90% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is Dover. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Stanley Petraschuk remained steady during the recorded window, moving from 90% in 2016 to 91% in 2017. This consistency across 155 total decisions suggests a stable approach to case adjudication. An attorney can help you understand how these past patterns might relate to your current claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. SSA assigns cases to administrative law judges through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Stanley Petraschuk approved 90% of the 155 cases on record since 2016, every case is unique. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your specific hearing.
