Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate for Irving A. Pianin reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can compare against the 48% to 60% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Norfolk. With 1,405 decisions analyzed, this data provides a stable look at past patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pianin. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pianin'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
Irving A. Pianin decided 1,405 cases between January 2016 and September 2019. His approval rate remained at 50% from 2016 through 2018, before shifting in the final months of his recorded activity. This pattern reflects the volume of cases handled during his time at the Norfolk office. The change in the final period may reflect shifts in case mix or evidence quality, but the long-term trend shows a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pianin'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 Norfolk hearing office
The Norfolk hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region, operating as part of the Social Security Administration's national network. With 12 judges having their most recent record at this location, it handles a significant volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Norfolk hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Norfolk
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 48% to 60% on their records since 2016. Because each judge has a unique approach to evidence, understanding the local bench is helpful. 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
Irving A. Pianin has an approval rate of 49% based on his record since 2016. This sits within the 48% to 60% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Norfolk hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the specific standards of this bench.
His approval rate was 50% from 2016 through 2018. In 2019, the rate was 15% over 47 decisions. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your case, a free attorney review can provide clarity. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Irving A. Pianin approved 49% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your file before your hearing date.
