Approval rates
The approval rate for Marty R. Pillion is 76% based on 1,643 decisions on record since 2016. Among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Johnstown hearing office, approval rates range from 32% to 80%. This range highlights the variation in outcomes across the office's bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pillion. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pillion'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
Marty R. Pillion's approval rate fluctuated over the record window, starting at 59% in 2016 and reaching 85% in 2020. In 2021, the rate was 83%, and in 2022, it was 81%. These figures reflect the judge's historical decision-making patterns across 1,643 total decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pillion'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 Johnstown hearing office
The Johnstown hearing office is the most recent office on record for 8 judges as of September 2022. You can view the Johnstown hearing office page for the full roster of judges who have recorded decisions at this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Johnstown hearing office. Approval rates among this group range from 32% to 80% based on their individual records since 2016.
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
Marty R. Pillion has an approval rate of 76% based on 1,643 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 32% to 80% observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Johnstown. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Marty R. Pillion evolved from 59% in 2016 to 81% in 2022. The data shows an upward trend in approvals through 2020 before stabilizing. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence in light of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where you provide testimony and a judge reviews your medical evidence. You will likely be asked about your work history and your physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony.
The 76% approval rate for Marty R. Pillion reflects historical patterns and is not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your case. The strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you determine if your case is well-positioned for a favorable decision.
